Nigeria’s former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has urged restraint and respect for judicial process amid ongoing allegations that he forged his academic credentials.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nnaji maintained that his decision to step aside from office was a “personal choice” made out of respect for due process and not an admission of guilt.
“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,”
he said.“In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just.”
Minister Alleges Campaign of Falsehood
Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, announced his resignation in a letter to President Bola Tinubu, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
According to a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu commended Nnaji for his role in advancing Nigeria’s innovation and indigenous technology initiatives.
However, in his own statement, the former minister alleged that a “politically motivated campaign of falsehood” had been orchestrated against him across media platforms.
“Over the past week, an orchestrated, sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated and malicious attacks has been waged against my person, integrity, and office,”
Nnaji said, adding that the reports had caused “personal distress” and distracted him from the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He emphasized that his reputation—built over five decades—should not be tainted by “unverified and misleading claims.”
University of Nigeria Denies Issuing Certificate
The controversy deepened when the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) formally disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate Nnaji presented during his ministerial screening.
In a letter dated October 2, 2025, and signed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, the university confirmed that while Nnaji was admitted in 1981, he did not complete his degree and therefore could not have been issued a certificate in July 1985.
“From every available record and information, we are unable to confirm that Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985,”
the letter stated.“As a result, the University did not and consequently could not have issued the purported certificate.”
This latest position contradicts the university’s earlier correspondence to People’s Gazette in December 2023, where its registrar had confirmed that Nnaji graduated in 1985 — a claim the institution has now voided in its Freedom of Information response to the Public Complaints Commission (PCC).
Court Case and Legal Proceedings
According to Nairametrics, Nnaji has filed a lawsuit before the Federal High Court, Abuja, against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), University of Nigeria, Vice Chancellor Simon Ortuanya, and others.
The case, which centers on the authenticity of Nnaji’s academic records, has been adjourned to November 10 for further hearing.
Court filings show that Nnaji is seeking judicial clarification and relief over what his counsel described as “conflicting records and institutional inconsistencies.”
Background and Track Record
Nnaji was sworn in as Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology on August 16, 2023, and played a prominent role in promoting research commercialization, local patent development, and digital innovation.
In January 2024, he urged 21 patent recipients to turn their inventions into marketable products to drive economic growth. Earlier this year, he announced the planned restriction on solar panel imports, a policy that generated significant debate within the renewable energy sector.
What’s Next
The court’s decision will determine whether Nnaji’s certificate from UNN is valid or forged — a ruling expected to have wide political and professional implications.
Meanwhile, the former minister has urged Nigerians to allow the judicial process to take its course, maintaining that he remains confident in the rule of law.
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