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In a dramatic twist that underscores the growing intersection of politics, credibility, and technology governance in Nigeria, Geoffrey Nnaji, the country’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, has resigned from office amid allegations of certificate forgery.
His departure — less than two years into his appointment by President Bola Tinubu — marks a significant setback for an administration that has repeatedly pledged to anchor its “Renewed Hope Agenda” on innovation and digital transformation.
Nnaji’s resignation, confirmed late Monday by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, followed mounting pressure and public scrutiny over questions surrounding his academic records, according to punchng.
In his letter to President Tinubu, Nnaji expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, but framed his exit as a necessary sacrifice — a move to protect his integrity and prevent further distraction from the government’s reform agenda.
“These unfounded allegations and media distortions have not only caused personal distress but have also begun to distract from the vital work of the ministry,” he said, describing the accusations as “politically motivated” and “malicious.”
While Nnaji insists his resignation is not an admission of guilt, his fall has reignited an uncomfortable national conversation about the ethical standards of public officials and the lingering culture of certificate scandals in Nigeria’s political landscape.
For a ministry that symbolises progress, science, and credibility, the episode feels particularly ironic. Nnaji’s tenure had been pitched as part of Tinubu’s strategy to reposition Nigeria as a digital powerhouse — one capable of competing with Kenya and South Africa in tech innovation and attracting global investment.
His sudden exit leaves a vacuum at a time when Nigeria’s innovation policy is struggling to gain coherence.
Analysts say the controversy exposes deeper cracks in governance and political accountability.
In an age where tech-driven transparency is the government’s rallying cry, the allegations — whether true or not — highlight the uneasy coexistence of old political habits with new promises of reform.
As Nnaji steps away, the larger question remains: can Nigeria’s tech and innovation sector sustain credibility when its leadership is shadowed by controversy?
For now, the Tinubu administration appears eager to turn the page. But for a nation looking to build its digital future, the resignation of its innovation minister serves as a cautionary reminder — that in the race for progress, integrity still counts as the ultimate credential.
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