Science Minister Uche Nnaji Resigns Over Alleged Certificate Forgery After UNN Disowns Degree

Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has resigned from office following allegations that he submitted forged academic and NYSC certificates during his ministerial nomination process.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu accepted Nnaji’s resignation on Monday evening, according to a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The statement noted that the President appreciated Nnaji’s service and wished him success in future endeavours.

Highly placed sources within the Presidency confirmed that President Tinubu privately directed Nnaji to step down “honourably” rather than face public dismissal. The decision was reached after a brief consultation with senior aides at the State House, Abuja, late Tuesday.

The development follows an investigative report by Premium Times, which alleged that Nnaji presented forged academic credentials to both the Senate and the Presidency during his confirmation in 2023.

According to the report, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) disowned the degree certificate submitted by Nnaji, stating that although he was admitted in 1981, he never completed his studies and was not awarded a degree.

In a letter dated October 2, 2025, UNN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, confirmed that Nnaji’s name was missing from the institution’s 1985 graduation records. This contradicted an earlier letter from the Registrar, Mrs. Celine Nnebedum, who in 2023 had verified Nnaji’s graduation but later recanted before the Public Complaints Commission.

Further investigation revealed that in a court affidavit, Nnaji admitted he never collected a degree certificate from the university. He has since filed a suit at the Federal High Court against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and UNN, seeking to restrain them from “tampering” with his academic records.

The case, which came up for hearing on Monday, was adjourned for further proceedings.

Nnaji, who was appointed minister in August 2023, had claimed to be a graduate of Electrical Engineering from UNN. His resignation marks the second high-profile exit from Tinubu’s cabinet amid certificate controversies, drawing comparisons with former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun’s resignation in 2018 over a forged NYSC certificate.The Presidency is yet to announce a replacement for the embattled minister.