The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has resigned from office amid growing allegations of certificate forgery, just over a year after his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The resignation was confirmed Tuesday evening by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who noted that President Tinubu has accepted Nnaji’s resignation and expressed appreciation for his service to the nation.
Appointed in August 2023, Nnaji’s short tenure has now ended in controversy, as he becomes the latest high-profile official to exit the administration under a cloud of allegations.
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In his resignation letter, Nnaji maintained his innocence and claimed he had been the victim of a smear campaign.
“I have been a target of blackmail by political opponents bent on tarnishing my reputation,” he said.
He described the forgery claims as politically motivated and baseless, but said he chose to step down to avoid becoming a distraction to the government.
Despite the scandal, the Presidency issued a diplomatic response, with Tinubu thanking Nnaji for his “contributions to the administration” and wishing him success in future endeavours.
As of present time, the Presidency has not named a replacement for the Innovation, Science and Technology portfolio.
Nnaji’s resignation adds to the list of political controversies the Tinubu administration has had to navigate in recent months, highlighting growing concerns over transparency and vetting in federal appointments.
