Certificate Forgery Allegations: Why Minister Geoffrey Uche Nnaji Resigned

Aye the Monarch
8 Oct, 2025


Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has resigned from his position following serious allegations that he submitted forged academic credentials. The unfolding controversy revealed discrepancies in his degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) documents, sparking public outcry and institutional investigations. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu accepted his resignation on October 7, 2025. 

🔍 Key Facts & Timeline

Date Event
July 2023 Allegations about Nnaji’s credentials began when he was among the ministerial nominees. Critics questioned whether he had completed university education as claimed.
Aug-Sep 2023 Nnaji submitted copies of his University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree and NYSC certificates during Senate screening. Critics flagged inconsistencies in timelines. 
May 2025 UNN officially stated there was no record showing Nnaji was issued a degree certificate in 1985, despite earlier claims. This heightened questions about the authenticity of his credentials.
Oct 2, 2025 The Vice-Chancellor of UNN responded to Freedom of Information requests, reaffirming that Nnaji did not graduate and had not been issued the certificate he claimed. 
Oct 4, 2025 Investigations revealed that at the time he claimed to have graduated, Nnaji had not passed a terminal virology course (MCB-431 AB), and was making attempts to re-sit it. These facts contradicted his graduation claims.
Oct 7, 2025 Following mounting pressure, public scrutiny, and the findings of the investigations, Nnaji tendered his resignation. The President accepted it. 

⚠ Implications & Responses

  • Alleged Forgery: The critical allegation is that both the bachelor’s degree and NYSC discharge certificate he presented are forged—or at least not verifiable. 

  • Missing Certificate: Nnaji admitted via court documents that although he was admitted in 1981, he never collected a degree certificate from UNN, citing the university’s “non-cooperative attitude.” 

  • Court Injunction Denied: He sought to stop UNN from releasing his academic records. The Federal High Court declined to restrain the school from handing over his records when requested. 

  • Perceived Political Motive: In his resignation letter and some responses, Nnaji described the allegations as politically motivated or “blackmail by opponents.”

✅ Why He Resigned

In summary, Nnaji’s resignation was driven by:

  • Credible and public investigations (notably by Premium Times) that uncovered clear evidence of discrepancies between his claims and university records. The disowning of his claimed UNN certificate by the University itself. 

  • Increasing public pressure, legal jeopardy, and loss of credibility. Remaining in office became untenable as excuses and denials failed to counter the documented irregularities.

  • The need to protect governmental integrity; his resignation was framed by himself and the Presidency as a means to allow due process without constant distraction.


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