By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
PRESIDENT BOLA Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following allegations surrounding his academic credentials.
A statement issued on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed that Nnaji tendered his resignation in a letter addressed to the President.
The letter expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve the nation under the current administration.
Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, stated in his resignation letter that he had been the target of political blackmail, which, according to him, influenced his decision to leave office.
President Tinubu acknowledged the minister’s decision to step down and thanked him for his service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while wishing him success in his future endeavours.
The development follows weeks of controversy surrounding allegations that Nnaji forged his academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates.
Investigations by Premium Times reported that the documents submitted to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation could not be verified.
The report alleged that Nnaji did not complete his university education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), contrary to claims in the credentials he presented.
The alleged irregularities sparked public debate and calls for a government response.
Prior to his resignation, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja dismissed Nnaji’s application seeking to restrain UNN from releasing his academic records.
Justice Hausa Yilwa, who presided over the matter, delivered the ruling on 22 September, stating that although the applicant had a legitimate interest in protecting his records, the court could not grant an injunction preventing the university from fulfilling lawful duties.
“I find that the applicant has sufficient interest in the matter, and the application is partly meritorious.
Accordingly, prayers 1, 2 and 3 are granted, while prayer 4, which sought an injunction, is declined,” the court ruled.
The ruling effectively cleared the way for the release of Nnaji’s records, a development that coincided with mounting public scrutiny over his eligibility to hold office.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has not yet announced a replacement for the vacant ministerial position.
