Minister Nnaji Steps Down Over Forged Qualification Claims

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has taken up the resignation of the Minister for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, after questions arose about fake educational papers he submitted during his appointment process.

The move happened on Monday evening, with a close aide to the president sharing the news the following day. In his farewell note, Nnaji thanked the leader for the chance to work for the country and mentioned facing attacks from rivals in politics.

Tinubu praised Nnaji’s efforts and sent best wishes for what lies ahead. Well-informed figures near the government said the president chose to let him leave quietly rather than remove him in a public way.

They wrapped up the matter on Tuesday night during a short discussion at the presidential office in Abuja, joined by a few trusted helpers. Nnaji did not attend.

One insider explained that the leader wanted him to bow out with dignity. Another added that the letter would reach the secretary’s desk by the end of the day, handling all issues for the top team of ministers.

This comes soon after a detailed probe claimed Nnaji handed in false school and youth service papers to the president and lawmakers back in 2023 when seeking the role.

The findings pointed out that his old university turned down the degree he claimed, saying he started classes in 1981 but never finished or got the award.

The school’s head backed this up in a reply to a request for open records on 2 October. This went against an earlier note from the registrar in December 2023 that said he had passed, but she took it back in a May 2025 update, noting no match in the 1985 graduate list.

The probe also showed Nnaji once swore in court that the place never gave him the paper and he had not picked one up.

Last month, he took legal action in a top court against the education chief, the university watchdog, his old school, its leader, and others. He wanted them blocked from changing his student files.

The hearing went ahead on Monday, with his side led by a top lawyer and the school by another. The education office and watchdog skipped it.

His lawyers hit out at the probe story, saying it hurt his case in the ongoing court fight over his school details. He asked the university to share his full student report, blaming them for mixing politics into his past marks.

Through a helper, Nnaji spoke to reporters in Abuja on Monday, voicing anger that the school kept his report hidden despite proof he finished. He stood by his claim of earning a science degree with decent marks in 1985, and said they had no reason to hold back.

He brushed off the idea that he faked the paper shown in 2023 as a dirty trick backed by a state boss trying to push him out. He could not believe the school said yes in 2023 then no in 2025.

He blamed the head for twisting facts under outside pressure. Nnaji made it clear this mess had nothing to do with learning or honesty, but everything to do with power games dressed up as a school check.

The dates, helpers, wrong papers, and bought tales all showed a planned hit to pull a trusted worker into dirty fights, he added. He waved a 1985 school booklet listing his name and picture with other finishers.

He also showed a note from the registrar confirming his start in 1981 and end in 1985. His helper said the name mix-up, from one version to another, meant little since many in his group use similar ones that swap around.

Still, another tipster told reporters the whole thing had turned into a headache for the ruling team.

Nnaji becomes the eighth top official to leave Tinubu’s group since it started in late August 2023. The largest change hit in late October 2024, when five got the boot, ten switched spots, and seven fresh faces joined to sharpen results.

Those touched included learning, travel spots, women’s issues, young people, and a deputy for homes. Some offices blended or got new names, like the one for river areas turning into a wider growth unit.

Before that, the work chief quit in late 2023 to claim a lawmaker seat in his home area after a judge ruled his way. Soon after, in early 2024, the aid and poverty head got paused over odd cash moves in a help plan.

She said nothing wrong, but faced checks by a money crime team, which also sidelined the head of the aid office.