The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a civil society organization, the Global Gender Safety & Moral Development (GGSMD), have vehemently criticized President Bola Tinubu for retaining Uche Nnaji as the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, despite serious allegations of certificate forgery. Reports suggest that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have officially disowned the certificates Nnaji presented for his appointment, a claim further compounded by alleged admissions in Nnaji's own court filings that UNN never issued him any degree certificate.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed no surprise at the development, branding the Tinubu administration's silence as proof of its "ample tolerance for corruption of all kinds." The opposition party accused the government of condoning fraudulent behavior, stating that maintaining a minister allegedly tainted by certificate forgery at the helm of a ministry tasked with driving innovation was a "great disservice" to Nigeria. Abdullahi highlighted that this scandal fits into a "long, public, and familiar record" of certificate controversies involving officials of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), suggesting these recurring issues reflect a party "foundationally accommodating of deceit and clearly unbothered by basic ethical considerations."

The ADC queried the administration's inaction, asking, "If the Minister is not honourable enough to resign, why is the Tinubu administration still keeping him in office?" The party argued that by refusing to act, the government and the APC are "admitting their complicity in such fraudulent conduct at the highest levels of their government, and making a mockery of their claims to fighting corruption." Emphasizing that government integrity hinges on the credibility of its appointees, the ADC warned that Nigerians cannot trust a system "populated by people who have lied under oath about their qualifications." The party called for Minister Nnaji's immediate suspension pending a full, independent investigation, demanding dismissal with ignominy and prosecution for forgery and perjury if found guilty, stressing that "Certificate forgery is not a clerical error, it is a crime."

Adding to the chorus of condemnation, the Global Gender Safety & Moral Development (GGSMD) demanded Nnaji's immediate resignation and a full-scale investigation by security and regulatory agencies. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, October 6, 2025, GGSMD Executive Director Comrade Godwin Erheriene accused Nnaji of "bringing shame upon the office he occupies." The group urged Nnaji to step aside to allow for an independent probe, submit himself to relevant security agencies for a prompt and transparent investigation, and cooperate fully with any inquiry. GGSMD referenced a Federal Government statement from August 23, 2024, which acknowledged 21,600 purported Nigerian graduates in possession of fake degrees, underscoring the government's stated intention to eradicate fake qualifications from public service. The GGSMD warned that if these steps are not taken, they would exercise their constitutional rights to peaceful protest, also criticizing the Department of State Services (DSS) for what they termed a failure in their vetting process.

Amidst these accusations, Uche Nnaji has, through his spokesperson Dr. Robert Ngwu, dismissed reports questioning the authenticity of his academic qualifications. Nnaji insisted that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), officially issued him a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry, with Second Class (Honours) Lower Division, in July 1985. His spokesperson addressed journalists in Abuja on a Monday, claiming the recent allegations of certificate forgery were "deliberate misinformation" and politically motivated.

Both the ADC and GGSMD also faulted the Senate and the Department of State Services (DSS) for failing in their duty to properly vet ministerial nominees, insisting that both institutions must take responsibility for allowing "unqualified and dishonest" individuals to occupy sensitive positions. The ADC concluded that "A Senate that has obliged itself unreservedly to the will of the President is liable to fail in its duty to the people," highlighting the broader systemic issues impacting government integrity and public trust.