Compiled By ESUT Monitor

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet amid controversies surrounding his academic records and allegations of certificate forgery.

Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, announced his resignation in a letter to the President on Tuesday, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve.

Following investigation by Premium Times, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate in the possession of the former Minister, saying the politician did not complete his studies at the institution and was never issued a certificate.

According to the paper, Simon U. Ortuanya, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, stated that although Nnaji was admitted to the institution in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree.

The platform added that authorities at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) also confirmed that the certificate of national service being paraded by Nnaji was strange to it and could not be authenticated.

Confirming the development in a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him. President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.

“He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria. Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents. President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.”

Nnaji’s resignation comes amid a lingering controversy over alleged certificate forgery and questions surrounding his academic qualifications from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Nnaji and the Enugu State Government had traded words over allegations that he presented forged certificates.

The dispute intensified after the Federal High Court in Enugu rejected Nnaji’s bid to stop the University of Nigeria from releasing his academic records.

The court had ruled that the institution was within its rights to release the minister’s academic details in response to a freedom of information request, a decision that fuelled further public scrutiny.

Nnaji, however, maintained that he was being blackmailed by political opponents determined to tarnish his reputation.

…Enugu State Govt. Denies Involvement

The Enugu state government has distanced itself from the ongoing certificate controversy involving the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.

Nnaji had on Monday in Abuja accused the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, of masterminding allegations of certificate forgery levelled against him.

Speaking through his spokesperson, Robert Ngwu, the Minister described the allegation as a politically motivated witch-hunt aimed at discrediting him ahead of the governor’s alleged plan to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Mbah wants Nnaji out of his way. He has given a new name to all his problems. He is seeking a second term in office, and the only way to achieve this is to get Nnaji out of the way. He wants to join APC, but knowing that

However, in a statement issued in Enugu by the Director of Information in the Ministry of Information and Communication, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nebo, the state government denied sponsoring the allegations and urged the minister to “carry his cross” and clear his name before Nigerians.

 “The Enugu State Government dissociates itself completely from these allegations. The Honourable Minister must carry his own cross and clear his name before Nigerians, instead of dragging the government into issues that are entirely personal to him,” Nebo stated.

According to him, Chief Nnaji had earlier invited journalists to a world press conference scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Monday to address the matter but failed to appear.

“A large number of Nigerian and international journalists gathered on the Minister’s invitation to hear directly from him. But rather than appear before them to answer questions and establish his innocence, the Minister absconded, leaving proxies who could not withstand the barrage of legitimate questions from journalists,” Nebo said.

The statement went on to question several inconsistencies reportedly linked to Nnaji’s academic and NYSC records:

“Did the Minister present a degree certificate to the Senate claiming to have graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in July 1985?

“Is it true that he deposed before a Federal High Court in Abuja that UNN never issued him any degree certificate, and if so, how did he obtain the certificate he submitted to the Senate?”

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The Enugu State government has presented 30 school buses to the various Science, Technical, and Vocational Schools in the state.

This was even as the state governor, Dr Peter Mbah, vowed to overhaul the education system in the state, making it the best in the country.

Presenting the buses to the principals of the schools at an event in Enugu, weekend, Governor Peter Mbah stated that the gesture reflected his administration’s commitment to prioritizing education and ensuring the welfare of both staff and students throughout the state.

Assuring quality learning in all the schools, Mbah,

who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education Innovation, as well as the Director of Exponential Learning, Enugu Smart Green Schools, Dr. Chinyere Onyishi stated that the buses were to aid them in the discharge of their duties, ensuring that distance would no longer be a barrier to their optimal performance.

He maintained that the education sector has witnessed an unprecedented development under his administration, evidenced by its devotion of 33% of its budgetary allocations to the sector in two successive fiscal years, with a view to equipping students in the state compete favourably with their peers in developed countries.

“What is happening in Enugu State is transformational. Today, the educational level has shifted from content memorization to creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. You can see that everything is revolutionizing, and Enugu State is taking the lead. Our target is to make sure that our children compete effectively anywhere in the world.

“The buses we are handing over to each of the schools today is to make sure that everything is working well and that distance wouldn’t be a barrier while carrying out your official duties. With these, you can move around, discharging your duties without any problem arising from transportation,” he said.

Earlier speaking, the Chairman, Science, Technical and Educational Management Board, Dr. Amaka Ngene lauded the governor’s efforts in the area of education which she said was marked by disruptive innovation, assuring that the board would do its best to ensure that the vision of governor Mbah was realized, especially in the area of vocational education.

According to her, the board had already given orientation to the principals and drivers on how the buses should be used and the purpose they were meant to serve, adding that they had signed an undertaking to that effect.

“We want to use this opportunity to thank His Excellency for the great work he is doing. He is a man with passion for education, and this is a fraction of the 33% that was provided for education in his budget. We are not going to let him and the state down. We shall do everything within our powers to ensure that his dreams regarding education are actualized,” Ngene said.

In their separate appreciation messages, the Chief Supervising Principal, Nsukka Education Zone, Mr. Alumona Sylvester Chukwuemeka, and the Principal of Special Science School, Oghe Ezeagu local government area appreciated the governor for his kind gestures towards the schools, saying that the school buses would help them tremendously in the discharge of their duties.

“We don’t know how to thank the governor for this show of love. His good works are not being felt only in the area of education but in every sector of the state. We give him kudos for this work as this will not only help the staff but will also assist them in the movement of students to perform other educational activities outside the school premises. We are assuring the state that these buses will be used for the purpose they were meant to serve. We will be doing the routine checks and other maintenance to enable the buses serve us better,” they said.

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By Sebastine Okafor

Nigeria has positioned itself as a country at the forefront of climate resilience and food security innovation, setting a model for other developing nations grappling with climate change.

Addressing the world leaders and experts recently in London during the Commonwealth Roundtable on Climate Finance and Food Security, the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, said Nigeria’s commitment to integrating science, technology, and sustainable finance is key to overcoming environmental and agricultural challenges.

Chief Nnaji who shared the sentiment with the Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Dr. Arjoon Suddhoo, at the meetings stated that science and technology  have a crucial role to play in shaping sustainable development, especially for nations facing tough realities on climate change.

According to Nnaji, “Our resolve is to leverage innovation as a driving force to secure food systems, protect our environment, and build climate-resilient communities. We are demonstrating that science and technology have a pivotal role in shaping sustainable development, especially for nations facing the harsh realities of climate change,” Nnaji said.

He also stated that the country’s comprehensive strategy, anchored on the Nigeria Living Lands Initiative (NLLI), which aims to restore 50,000 hectares of degraded land while boosting agricultural productivity, can make a lot of difference when properly put into work.

“The initiative is projected to generate between $2,000 to $3,000 in farmer income per hectare, positioning Nigeria as a beacon of climate-smart innovation within the Commonwealth. Through the Nigeria Living Lands Initiative, we are restoring degraded lands while empowering local farmers. This project is not only about environmental renewal but about giving farmers the opportunity to earn sustainable income and build better futures for their families.”

Nnaji also highlighted the urgent need for action on desertification, while also calling on Commonwealth nations to prioritize climate finance and leverage technological innovations to address food insecurity across vulnerable regions.

“With desertification advancing in the North at 0.6 kilometers per year and coastal erosion swallowing 30-40 meters of land annually in the South, we cannot afford to let climate inaction dictate our food security future. The speed of desertification and coastal erosion threatens the livelihoods of millions. Only by combining science, finance, and international cooperation can we protect our environment and ensure sustainable food systems.”

The Minister also described some initiatives of the Federal Government on climate change as “transformative solutions that merge environmental protection with economic empowerment.”

“Among Nigeria’s groundbreaking innovations are climate-smart greenhouses for year-round crop production, bamboo value chain development for eco-friendly construction, and integrated biodigester networks that transform organic waste into clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 300,000 tons annually. Our climate-smart greenhouses and biodigester networks are designed to promote sustainable food systems, generate clean energy, and create jobs—proving that innovation can address both climate challenges and economic development at the same time.”

On climate finance, Nnaji revealed that Nigeria is scaling its projects through Green Bonds and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). He urged the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) to simplify access to international funding for climate adaptation projects, especially for developing countries.

“Climate finance is not just about funding projects—it is about giving vulnerable communities a fighting chance. Our green bonds and partnerships are critical to unlocking the investments needed to transform our agricultural sector and improve the lives of millions across Nigeria and the Commonwealth.”

“Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria has aligned its national policies with global sustainability goals. Executive Order No. 5,” the Minister said, “serves as a governance framework to accelerate technology adoption in agriculture, energy, and industry, fostering inter-ministerial collaboration for effective policy implementation. Our Renewed Hope Agenda aligns our national vision with global sustainability priorities. Through Executive Order No. 5, we are currently fostering technological innovation, enhancing inter-ministerial cooperation, and ensuring that sustainability becomes a central part of our national development strategy.”

Nnaji proposed the establishment of a Commonwealth Centre for Climate-Smart Agriculture—a knowledge-sharing hub to promote innovative farming techniques, while also advocating for youth and women empowerment through agritech startups and sustainable agricultural enterprises, which he said will position them as drivers of future climate resilience.

Chief Uchenna Geoffrey Nnaji, however, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to leading climate-resilient development, adding that the country will partner with other Commonwealth nations to ensure proper execution of this.
“This is a shared responsibility. Nigeria is ready to lead by example, but we cannot do it alone. We are going to work together with other Commonwealth nations, as a Commonwealth family, in driving climate action, securing food systems, and building a prosperous future for all our people.”

Among the representatives from Nigeria that joined Chief Nnaji are
Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NABRDA), and
Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN).

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