Science Minister Resigns Amid Academic Fraud Allegations

The Fall of Uche Nnaji: Alleged Certificate Forgery and Resignation from Nigeria’s Cabinet

Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, resigned from his position in early October 2025 following explosive allegations of certificate forgery.

His resignation came just three days after a damning investigation by Premium Times revealed that the credentials he submitted during his ministerial confirmation process were forged. The scandal has since ignited widespread debate about the integrity of Nigeria’s educational institutions and the vetting processes for public office.

Nnaji was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2023, having previously contested the governorship of Enugu State under the All Progressives Congress (APC). His nomination was part of the president’s first batch of ministerial appointments, forwarded to the Senate for confirmation. However, suspicions about the authenticity of his academic qualifications had lingered since July 2023, with critics alleging that he never completed his university education.

The Premium Times investigation, which spanned two years, conclusively found that both the bachelor’s degree and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate submitted by Nnaji were forgeries.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where Nnaji claimed to have graduated, officially disowned the certificate. In a letter dated October 2, 2025, signed by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simon Ortuanya, the university stated that although Nnaji was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry, he did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree. This contradicted earlier claims made by Nnaji’s aides and a December 2023 letter from UNN’s registrar, which had initially confirmed his graduation but was later recanted.

Further complicating matters, the NYSC also disowned the discharge certificate presented by Nnaji. Documents obtained through Freedom of Information requests revealed that at the time Nnaji claimed to have graduated and served, he was still corresponding with UNN about re-sitting a failed terminal course. In a court affidavit, Nnaji himself admitted that he had never collected a degree certificate from the university.

Faced with mounting pressure and public outrage, Nnaji tendered his resignation in a letter to President Tinubu, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve and claiming he was the target of relentless blackmail by political opponents. He denied any wrongdoing and insisted that the allegations were politically motivated, designed to tarnish his reputation ahead of the 2027 governorship race in Enugu State. His resignation was accepted by the president, who thanked him for his service and wished him well.

Legal proceedings are ongoing. Nnaji has filed a lawsuit against UNN, the Minister of Education, and the National Universities Commission, seeking to restrain the university from tampering with his academic records.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a hearing for November 10, 2025. Meanwhile, public affairs analyst Frank Tietie described the scandal as a major indictment of Nigeria’s educational and governance systems, calling for a comprehensive audit of all federal executive credentials.

The resignation of Uche Nnaji has not only ended his tenure in the federal cabinet but also cast a long shadow over the credibility of Nigeria’s public institutions.

It remains to be seen whether the legal battle will vindicate him or further expose systemic failures in the country’s vetting processes.