Nnaji Resigns

Minister Submits Resignation Letter

Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, who had served as Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology since August 2023, submitted his resignation letter to President Tinubu on Tuesday. His 18-month tenure ends under a cloud of mounting pressure over questions about his academic qualifications.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed what many had anticipated. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him,” Onanuga said in a statement.

Nnaji’s letter thanked the President for the chance to serve while insisting he’d become a target of blackmail by political opponents. Tinubu, for his part, acknowledged the minister’s service and wished him well, a fairly standard political send-off under the circumstances.

Academic Records Controversy Deepens

The whole affair stems from a prolonged dispute over Nnaji’s academic credentials from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Questions about the authenticity of certificates he allegedly presented during his appointment have dogged him for months.

What started as whispers turned into a full-blown public confrontation between Nnaji and the Enugu State Government. Both sides traded accusations over the alleged certificate forgery, and the controversy quickly became a talking point in Nigeria’s political circles. It also raised uncomfortable questions about how thoroughly ministerial candidates are vetted before appointment.

Federal Court Ruling Triggers Resignation

The real turning point appears to have come when the Federal High Court in Enugu rejected Nnaji’s attempt to stop the University of Nigeria from releasing his academic records. The court sided with the institution, ruling it had every right to disclose the minister’s academic details following a Freedom of Information request.

That judicial decision seems to have changed the calculus entirely. Public scrutiny intensified. Media attention grew. Legal experts pointed out that the ruling was consistent with transparency principles in Nigeria’s Freedom of Information Act, which gives citizens access to public records, even when those records might be embarrassing.

Faced with the prospect of his academic history becoming public, Nnaji chose resignation over continued exposure. Whether that suggests guilt or simply exhaustion with the process is hard to say.

Political Implications and What Comes Next

Nnaji’s departure leaves a significant gap in Nigeria’s technology and innovation ministry just as the government talks up digital transformation and scientific advancement as priorities. It’s also the first major cabinet exit since Tinubu made his ministerial appointments in August 2023.

Some political analysts believe this episode may push the administration to beef up its background checks for future nominees. The controversy has certainly sparked wider conversations about accountability standards for public officials, though whether anything concrete will change remains to be seen.

Throughout everything, Nnaji stuck to his story: the allegations were politically motivated attacks meant to destroy his reputation. Yet his choice to resign rather than fight on in court has left many observers wondering. If the claims were truly baseless, why not stay and clear his name?

President Tinubu hasn’t announced who might replace Nnaji at the helm of the Innovation, Science, and Technology ministry. The position handles weighty policy areas, technology development, research funding, Nigeria’s digital economy push. Finding someone without similar baggage may prove more challenging than expected.