Nnaji Resigns As Minister Over “Blackmail By Opponents”

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has resigned from office following allegations relating to discrepancies in his academic credentials.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted his resignation, marking the end of Nnaji’s tenure barely a year after he was appointed into the federal cabinet in August 2023.

In his resignation letter, Nnaji expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for giving him the opportunity to serve the country, while maintaining that he had been a victim of sustained blackmail orchestrated by political opponents bent on tarnishing his image.

The development follows weeks of mounting controversy surrounding claims that the minister’s academic records were inconsistent, a matter that reportedly attracted public scrutiny and internal review within government circles. Though the Presidency did not directly reference the allegations in its official statement, it confirmed that President Tinubu had accepted Nnaji’s resignation and commended him for his contributions to the administration.

“President Tinubu thanks him for his service and wishes him well in his future endeavours,” a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, read.

Nnaji, who hails from Enugu State, was one of the technocrats appointed to drive the administration’s agenda for innovation and scientific advancement. His exit adds to the growing list of ministerial changes within the Tinubu administration as it continues its second year in office.