Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has resigned from workplace following mounting allegations of certificates forgery which have trailed his public service profession. The Nigeria Education News confirmed that his resignation letter was tendered on Monday, October 7, 2025, bringing an abrupt finish to his tenure lower than two years after his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2023. The resolution has sparked recent conversations about integrity and accountability in public workplace.
An announcement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga and as obtained by The Nigeria Education News, confirmed that President Tinubu has accepted Nnaji’s resignation. According to the assertion, the President expressed appreciation for Nnaji’s service and wished him success in his future endeavours. However, the Presidency didn’t tackle the allegations immediately, leaving the general public to attract their very own conclusions concerning the controversy surrounding the minister’s tutorial credentials.
In his resignation letter, Nnaji thanked President Tinubu for the privilege of serving the nation and for the arrogance reposed in him. He described his resignation as a tough however mandatory step, emphasizing that he was stepping apart to forestall what he termed “political blackmail” from distracting the administration’s give attention to nationwide improvement. “I have been a target of relentless misinformation and personal attacks, but I leave with my head held high,” Nnaji acknowledged in his letter.
The embattled former minister has persistently maintained his innocence, insisting that the allegations in opposition to him had been orchestrated by political rivals bent on discrediting his file of service. He claimed that his resolution to resign was not an admission of guilt however a sacrifice made to guard the integrity of the Tinubu administration. He additionally reiterated his perception within the justice system and expressed readiness to defend himself in opposition to any formal expenses.
The scandal started after investigative journalists unearthed inconsistencies in Nnaji’s instructional {qualifications}. Documents obtained from establishments he claimed to have attended reportedly revealed discrepancies that raised questions concerning the authenticity of his certificates. The controversy rapidly gained traction on social media, with civic teams, college students, and anti-corruption activists demanding his resignation and a full-scale investigation into his tutorial data.
Civil society organizations welcomed his eventual resignation however urged the Federal Government to transcend mere acceptance and launch an intensive inquiry. Groups such because the Transparency and Accountability Network and the Education Rights Movement known as for the verification of the credentials of all serving ministers and prime officers, arguing that Nnaji’s case highlighted a systemic failure in Nigeria’s appointment processes.
Political analysts have described Nnaji’s exit as a calculated effort to defend the administration from additional embarrassment. Dr. Femi Oladipo, a governance knowledgeable on the University of Lagos, famous that “resignation in such circumstances is both a political necessity and a moral obligation.” He added that the Tinubu authorities may use this chance to reform its screening mechanisms to forestall comparable scandals sooner or later.
Reactions inside the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology have been blended. Some administrators expressed disappointment over his departure, citing his contributions to analysis funding, digital innovation, and the promotion of indigenous know-how. Others, nevertheless, admitted that the certificates controversy had solid a shadow over the ministry’s credibility, significantly in its dealings with worldwide improvement companions and analysis establishments.
Opposition events, significantly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), have capitalized on the scenario to query the credibility of the Tinubu cupboard. The PDP, in an announcement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, demanded a full audit of all ministerial appointees’ tutorial data. It accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of condoning unqualified people in management positions and warned that such practices undermine the nation’s international status.
Public opinion stays divided over the minister’s resignation. While some Nigerians see it as a commendable step that units a precedent for moral conduct, others consider it’s inadequate with out authorized penalties. Several commentators have argued that stepping down mustn’t exempt Nnaji from prosecution if the forgery allegations are substantiated, emphasizing that accountability should prolong past political resignation.
As Nigerians await the following steps from the Presidency, the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji underscores the persistent problem of integrity in governance. It serves as a reminder of the pressing want for transparency, due diligence, and institutional reforms within the choice and vetting of public officers. For now, the once-promising technocrat leaves workplace beneath a cloud of controversy, marking one other chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing battle to reconcile politics with moral management.