Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has stepped down after reports surfaced that he forged his academic credentials.

His resignation comes days after the Premium Times published findings of a two-year investigation alleging that Nnaji submitted falsified certificates during his ministerial appointment in 2023.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the resignation late Tuesday in a post on X, quoting Nnaji as saying he had become “a target of blackmail by political opponents.”

The minister has denied any wrongdoing, insisting he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1985 with a degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry. However, UNN reportedly told the newspaper it has no record of Nnaji completing his studies. A senior official said he was admitted in 1981 but did not graduate.

Questions have also been raised about his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, which the agency said could not be verified.

The scandal has triggered public outrage and calls for accountability. Opposition leader Atiku Abubakar urged President Bola Tinubu to order an independent probe, saying Nnaji “should have been summarily dismissed and prosecuted for deceit and falsification.”

“Nigerians deserve to know the truth about those who preside over their lives and resources,” Abubakar posted on X.

Ministerial resignations are rare in Nigeria. Nnaji becomes only the second cabinet member to leave office since President Tinubu took power in May 2023. In January, Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu was suspended over a corruption scandal, which she denied.

Tinubu’s predecessor, the late Muhammadu Buhari, dismissed just two ministers during his eight-year presidency.

[Source: BBC News]