Nigeria's Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has resigned just days after allegations emerged that he had forged his academic credentials.
The resignation follows a newspaper investigation that claimed Nnaji submitted falsified certificates to President Bola Tinubu during his ministerial appointment in 2023.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed Nnaji's resignation in a post on X late on Tuesday, quoting the minister as saying he had been a target of blackmail by political opponents.
Nnaji has denied the accusations of forgery and has insisted that he did graduate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) with a degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry.
The forgery allegations have sparked outrage among some Nigerians, following a two-year investigation by the Premium Times newspaper.
Last week, UNN reportedly told the publication that it had no records confirming that the minister had graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1985, as he had claimed. A senior university official noted that Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but never completed his studies or received a degree.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) also said the mandatory certificate of national service Nnaji presented in April 2023 could not be verified.
The suspension or removal of a minister is rare in Nigeria; Nnaji is only the second to leave office since President Tinubu assumed power in May 2023. This incident follows the suspension of former Minister Betta Edu amidst public backlash over a corruption scandal.
