The former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has said his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet is not an admission of guilt but a personal and principled decision taken in the interest of due process and good governance. Nnaji, who was appointed minister in August 2023, announced his resignation in a letter …
My Resignation Not an Admission of Guilt-Nnaji
The former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has said his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet is not an admission of guilt but a personal and principled decision taken in the interest of due process and good governance.
Nnaji, who was appointed minister in August 2023, announced his resignation in a letter to President Tinubu on Tuesday, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve. A statement he personally signed was released in Abuja on Wednesday.
His exit comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding allegations of certificate forgery linked to his academic records at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
I have Been the Target Of a politically motivated campaign.
Nnaji said he had been the target of an “orchestrated, politically motivated, and malicious campaign of falsehood” over the past week, which, according to him, caused personal distress and hindered his ability to focus on official duties.
“Over the last five decades, I have built a reputation anchored on hard work, honour, and service to humanity,” he said. “I cannot, in good conscience, allow these distortions to cast a shadow over the noble objectives of the present administration.”
The former minister insisted that stepping down was a matter of principle, not guilt.
“My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice, not an admission of guilt. It is a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court,” he said.
READ ALSO: Innovation minister Nnaji resigns amid allegations
Nnaji expressed optimism that justice would ultimately prevail, maintaining that “in the end, the truth will vindicate the just.”
Timeline of Events Leading to Nnaji’s Exit
July 2023 : Allegations emerge
Questions about Nnaji’s academic qualifications surfaced shortly after President Tinubu nominated him as a minister. Media reports challenged the authenticity of the Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology which he claimed to have obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
August 2023: Credentials submitted to Senate
During his ministerial screening, Nnaji presented copies of his degree and NYSC certificates to the Senate. The documents showed that he graduated from UNN in July 1985 and completed national service in April of the same year, a timeline critics described as inconsistent.
May 2025: UNN disowns Nnaji’s certificate
In May, the Registrar of UNN, in a letter to the Public Complaints Commission, stated that there was no record that the university awarded a degree to Nnaji in 1985. The disclosure prompted public outrage and renewed calls for verification of credentials submitted by federal appointees.
October 2, 2025 : UNN reaffirms position
Responding to a Freedom of Information request, the Vice Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, reaffirmed that Nnaji neither completed his studies nor received a degree certificate from the institution in 1985.
October 4, 2025 : Documents contradict Nnaji’s claim
An investigation by Premium Times revealed internal university records showing that Nnaji failed a virology course (MCB 431 AB) and had written to the university in 1986 seeking permission to re-sit the exam, contradicting his earlier claim of graduation in 1985.
October 6, 2025 : Court declines injunction
Nnaji filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to restrain UNN, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and the Senate from releasing his academic records to journalists and investigators. The court, however, declined to grant his request for a full injunction.
October 7, 2025 : Nnaji resigns
Under mounting public pressure, Nnaji tendered his resignation to President Tinubu. In his letter, he maintained his innocence and described the allegations as “political blackmail”.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed the resignation, stating that President Tinubu had accepted it and commended Nnaji for taking “a dignified step in the face of public scrutiny”.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
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