The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has tendered his resignation following allegations that he forged his academic certificates.Sources within the Presidency confirmed that Nnaji submitted his resignation letter to President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday after mounting public pressure and an internal probe into the authenticity of his credentials.
The embattled minister had come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks after reports surfaced that some of the academic documents he presented for ministerial screening were allegedly falsified. The allegations sparked widespread outrage, with several civil society groups calling for his suspension and prosecution.Although Nnaji initially denied any wrongdoing, insisting that his certificates were genuine, close aides said he decided to step down “to allow for a fair and transparent investigation.”
His resignation marks the first major exit from President Tinubu’s cabinet since its inauguration, and it has reignited public debate on the need for stricter vetting of political appointees.As of press time, the Presidency had not announced Nnaji’s replacement, while investigations into the alleged forgery are said to be ongoing.