Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet following growing controversy over alleged certificate forgery.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed the minister’s resignation in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Mr Nnaji’s exit comes after sustained allegations that he forged the academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) credentials he submitted during his ministerial confirmation. The documents in question were purportedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the NYSC.

Although Nnaji claimed to have graduated from UNN in 1975, investigations revealed inconsistencies in his academic record. According to a two-year investigation by Premium Times, UNN authorities could not verify that Nnaji completed his degree programme.

The publication cited the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Simon Ortuanya, as confirming that while Nnaji was admitted in 1981, he neither completed his studies nor graduated.

Similarly, the NYSC reportedly disowned the discharge certificate presented by the former minister, saying it did not originate from its records.

The allegations, which first surfaced in July 2023 when President Tinubu forwarded Nnaji’s name among the initial 28 ministerial nominees, had persisted despite his denials. Critics argued that both the university degree and NYSC certificate submitted to the Presidency, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the State Security Service (SSS), and the Senate were fraudulent.

Mr Nnaji’s resignation marks one of the first major ministerial exits under President Tinubu’s administration amid rising concerns about vetting and accountability in public office.