The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Uche Nnaji, has resigned from office following allegations of certificate forgery.
His resignation was confirmed on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
Nnaji’s decision to step down comes in the wake of mounting controversy surrounding his academic qualifications. Investigations revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate presented by the minister, stating that he neither completed his studies at the institution nor was awarded any degree.
According to the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Professor Simon U. Ortuanya, Nnaji was admitted into the university in 1981 but did not fulfill the academic requirements for graduation.
Further findings also indicated that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) denied issuing the certificate of national service presented by Nnaji, describing it as fake.
The development has generated widespread reactions, with calls for a thorough probe into the matter and possible prosecution for forgery