Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, insists his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet is not an admission of guilt but a mark of respect for due process.
Critics, however, speculate that powerful forces within the ruling party forced his exit to make way for Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah — who is reportedly being courted to defect from the PDP to the APC.
Nnaji had earlier accused Mbah of plotting his removal using the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) academic records as a weapon.
Nnaji tendered his resignation on Monday following allegations that both his UNN bachelor’s degree and NYSC certificate were forged.
In court filings, he claimed he never collected the University’s certificate, attributing non-completion to a “non-cooperative attitude” of UNN’s officials.
In a fresh response to PREMIUM TIMES’ Freedom of Information request, UNN officials stated that Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but “neither graduated nor was issued any certificate.”
The UNN Registrar’s letter dated 6 October and signed by Senior Deputy Registrar F.C. Achiuwa on behalf of Registrar Celine Nnebedum said the university “searched the 1985 graduation record and could not find Mr Nnaji’s name” and that “there is no indication” the degree certificate in his possession was issued by UNN.
The university’s vice-chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, had also written to PREMIUM TIMES in an earlier FOI response confirming there is no record of Nnaji completing his studies or being awarded a degree in July 1985.
The official statement read: “From every available records and information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, we are unable to confirm that Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji … graduated … in July 1985 …” and
“the University of Nigeria, Nsukka DID NOT and consequently, COULD NOT have issued the purported certificate … in July 1985 to Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji.”
Meanwhile, in his resignation statement, Nnaji described the onslaught of allegations as a “sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated and malicious attacks” intended to derail his work and distract him from the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the administration. “
These unfounded allegations … have begun to distract from the vital work of the ministry,” he complained.
He maintains his decision to step aside is “not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court.” he said.
“I remain deeply grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu … for the privilege to serve in his cabinet,” he added.
Nnaji’s political fate now hinges on how the courts and public opinion treat these cascading revelations — and whether the alleged scheme to replace him with Mbah succeeds.
