Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu's cabinet following widespread allegations of certificate forgery. This development, rooted in a two-year investigation by PREMIUM TIMES, has ignited a fierce debate about integrity in public service and the accountability of the current administration.

The PREMIUM TIMES investigation conclusively revealed that Mr. Nnaji had forged his bachelor's degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate. Despite initial defenses by his aides, Nnaji eventually admitted that UNN had never issued him a degree certificate. His resignation on Tuesday came days after the damning exposé.

In his statement, Nnaji framed his departure as a “principled decision” to respect judicial proceedings and preserve their integrity, denying any wrongdoing and attributing the allegations to an “orchestrated sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated, and malicious attacks.” He maintained his innocence, stating his resignation was “not an admission of guilt.”

However, his resignation has drawn sharp criticism and calls for more decisive action. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the situation as evidence of a “deep moral crisis” within President Tinubu’s administration, famously titling his statement “Forgery As State Policy.” Atiku criticized the government for allowing Nnaji the “courtesy of resignation” instead of immediate dismissal and prosecution, suggesting it was an attempt to “whitewash” a scandal typical of a “forgery-ridden character” government. He further accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of a profound failure in its screening duties, highlighting how such lapses bring national shame.

Legal expert and public affairs analyst Frank Tietie echoed these sentiments, describing Nnaji’s resignation as a “major indictment” of Nigeria’s educational and governance systems. Speaking on ARISE News, Tietie emphasized that Nnaji had committed “grievous offences not only against the Nigerian education system and the Tinubu administration but also against the criminal laws of Nigeria.” He called for a broader audit of all federal executive service members suspected of using forged results, viewing Nnaji’s resignation as a “presumption of his guilt.”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also weighed in, criticizing President Tinubu's acceptance of Nnaji's resignation as “weak and disappointing.” The party argued that such an action sends a dangerous message that “dishonesty carries no consequence in public life” and that the administration appears “sympathetic to such behaviour.” ADC reiterated that both UNN and NYSC had disowned the certificates Nnaji presented and insisted that forgery is a crime requiring an independent investigation and prosecution, asserting that resignation does not negate criminal liability.

Many Nigerians, including various social media commentators and public figures, have demanded Nnaji's prosecution and that he be made to refund all earnings received as a minister. Analysts like Reuben Abati drew parallels to the Kemi Adeosun NYSC certificate forgery scandal, questioning the effectiveness of security agencies in vetting high-profile nominees. Experts noted that Nnaji could face up to 21 years imprisonment under Nigerian law.

Atiku Abubakar further escalated the call for accountability, linking Nnaji’s scandal to what he termed a wider pattern of deceit, including controversies surrounding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s own identity, age, and academic records. He urged for “an independent, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the academic and professional credentials of all members of the Federal Executive Council, beginning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself,” advocating for a national moral reset to prevent Nigeria from sinking deeper into “moral decay, economic ruin, and global embarrassment.”