Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has dismissed claims that his resignation was an admission of guilt amid allegations of certificate forgery, insisting he stepped down to protect his integrity and the image of the government.
Nnaji resigned on Tuesday, October 7, following a Premium Times investigation that exposed discrepancies in his academic records. The report revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) had disowned the Bachelor of Science certificate in his possession, confirming he was admitted in 1981 but did not graduate.
In a personally signed statement, Nnaji described the allegations as politically motivated blackmail, saying they were aimed at tarnishing his reputation and distracting from the ministry’s work under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“My decision to step aside is not an admission of guilt but a principled decision to allow due process to take its course and to preserve the integrity of judicial proceedings,” he stated.
The former minister expressed confidence that justice would prevail, adding that history would vindicate him in the end.
Nnaji’s exit marks one of the most high-profile resignations from President Tinubu’s cabinet since its inauguration.
