Certificate Scandal: Why I resigned from Tinubu’s cabinet – Nnaji

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has explained that his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet was a personal decision made to protect his integrity.

He said the move was also aimed at preventing unnecessary distractions to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Nnaji had resigned from his position on Tuesday amid controversies surrounding his academic credentials and allegations of certificate forgery.

In a statement released the same day, which followed confirmation of his resignation by the Presidency, Nnaji said he stepped down after “deep reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians.”

According to him, his exit came in response to “an orchestrated sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated, and malicious attacks” targeted at his person and office in recent days.

“These unfounded allegations and media distortions have not only caused personal distress but have also begun to distract from the vital work of the ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President,” he said.

Nnaji stressed that his resignation should not be seen as an admission of guilt but as a principled act to uphold due process and allow judicial proceedings to run their course.

“My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice — 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. In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just,” he stated.

The former minister added that he could not, in good conscience, allow “distractions to cast a shadow over the noble objectives” of the Tinubu administration, emphasizing that his reputation was built over “five decades anchored on hard work, honour, and service to humanity.”

Nnaji expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the trust and opportunity to serve, pledging his continued loyalty to the administration’s vision for a “renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria.”

Appointed in August 2023, Nnaji served until his resignation amid ongoing investigations into alleged procurement irregularities in his ministry.

He and the Enugu State Government have also traded words over allegations that he presented forged academic certificates.