Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has explained that his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet was a personal decision aimed at protecting his integrity and preventing further distractions to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Nnaji stepped down on Tuesday amid public controversy over allegations of certificate forgery and questions surrounding his academic credentials. In a statement released the same day, he said his resignation followed “deep reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians.”
He described the recent allegations as part of a “sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated, and malicious attacks” directed at him and his office over the past week. According to him, these claims had caused personal distress and had begun to divert attention from the important work of the ministry.
“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 and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President,” he stated.
Nnaji emphasized that his resignation should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt, but rather as a step taken out of respect for due process and the integrity of judicial proceedings currently underway.
“My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice — not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court. In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just,” he said.
The former minister noted that he could not, in good conscience, allow the situation to undermine the work of the ministry or overshadow the broader goals of the Tinubu administration. He also stressed that his personal reputation, built over five decades, was grounded in hard work, honour, and service.
Nnaji expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed his continued loyalty to the administration’s vision for a “renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria.”
Appointed in August 2023, Nnaji served for just over a year before stepping down, amid ongoing investigations into alleged procurement irregularities during his tenure.
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