KEY POINTS

• Geoffrey Nnaji resigns amid certificate forgery allegations.
• He says the decision is personal, not an admission of guilt.
• Nnaji insists his integrity and decades of service remain intact.

Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, saying his decision is a personal one and not an admission of guilt.

Nnaji, who became a member of the cabinet in August 2023, wrote a letter to the President on Tuesday to say he was leaving and thank him for the chance to serve. His exit comes amid allegations of certificate forgery that have trailed him for weeks.

Geoffrey Nnaji resigns amid forgery allegations

In a statement issued in Abuja, Nnaji said a “sustained campaign of falsehood and politically motivated attacks” had been waged against him across the media.

He said the allegations not only caused personal distress but also distracted him from carrying out his duties as minister.

Minister says decision not tied to guilt

Nnaji maintained that his decision to resign was voluntary and rooted in principle.

“My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice, not an admission of guilt,” he said. “It is to preserve the integrity of the judicial process and protect the credibility of the Tinubu administration.”

He defends his reputation and service

The former minister said he had spent five decades building a reputation founded on honour, diligence, and public service.

He noted that he could not allow “unfounded distortions” to undermine the goals of the current government or distract from its reforms in science and innovation.

“I remain confident that justice will vindicate the just,” he added.