President Bola Tinubu has accepted the immediate resignation of Uche Nnaji as the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology. The departure follows weeks of public scrutiny and ongoing legal action concerning the authenticity of his university credentials, a controversy that has shadowed his tenure since he joined the federal cabinet in August 2023.
In his resignation letter submitted on Tuesday, Mr. Nnaji reportedly expressed his gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve the nation. While stepping down, he maintained that he had been unfairly targeted by political opponents utilizing blackmail tactics. President Tinubu acknowledged his service and wished him success in future endeavors, officially concluding his time in the cabinet.
The resignation coincides directly with legal proceedings in a suit filed by Nnaji himself against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and other parties. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, centers on a challenge to the ownership and authenticity of his academic records. This legal maneuver came after the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, publicly stated that its records do not confirm the issuance of the degree certificate Nnaji had submitted, effectively disowning the document.
The legal battle remains active. On Monday, a scheduled hearing before Justice Hauwa Yilwa was stalled because the university and its officers failed to file their required responses. The court subsequently adjourned the matter until November 10. Nnaji’s legal team has previously noted in media statements that the Vice Chancellor of UNN allegedly published a letter claiming Nnaji had not graduated, a claim they contend contradicts existing court mandates intended to preserve the status quo during the dispute.
