Former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has said his resignation from office was a personal and principled decision, not an admission of guilt over allegations concerning his academic credentials.
In a statement on Tuesday, Nnaji explained that his decision to “step aside” was made to preserve the integrity of ongoing judicial proceedings and allow the legal process to run its course.
“My decision to step aside is a personal choice, not an admission of guilt, but a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court,” he said.
“In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just.”
Says Attacks Were Politically Motivated
The former minister described the controversy surrounding his credentials as an “orchestrated and politically motivated campaign of falsehood” designed to malign his reputation.
He lamented that the media attacks and public speculation had caused him personal distress and were beginning to distract from the work of the Ministry and the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“As someone who has spent more than five decades building a reputation anchored on hard work, honour, and service to humanity, I cannot in good conscience allow these distractions to cast a shadow over the noble objectives of this administration,” he stated.
Reaffirms Loyalty to Tinubu Administration
Chief Nnaji expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve in his cabinet and reaffirmed his unwavering support for the administration’s vision of a technologically advanced Nigeria.
“His vision for a renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria is one I continue to hold dear, and I pledge my unflinching support to his administration and its transformative goals,” he added.
Nnaji, who served as minister since August 2023, resigned amid growing controversy over the authenticity of his academic certificates, a development confirmed earlier by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.
