Abuja, Nigeria – The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has tendered his resignation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, becoming the first cabinet member to exit the administration since its inauguration in May 2023.
Nnaji, who was appointed to the Federal Executive Council in August 2023, stepped down on Tuesday. He attributed his decision to leave office to “political blackmail,” a surprising development that followed a flurry of allegations leveled against him.
The resignation came as a shock to many observers, particularly because it directly contradicted statements made by one of the Minister’s aides earlier in the day.
Speaking on national television, the aide had emphatically ruled out any plan by the Minister to resign, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated. The aide had insisted that the Minister would soon provide proof confirming he was a genuine graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), suggesting the controversy surrounding his academic background was central to the pressure.
In his resignation letter, Mr. Nnaji expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation, characterizing his time in office as “a period of deep learning and national contribution.”
President Tinubu has officially accepted the Minister’s resignation. In his reaction to the development, the President commended Mr. Nnaji for his service during his brief tenure and extended best wishes for success in his future endeavors.
With the Innovation, Science, and Technology sector being a critical focus area for economic diversification, sources close to the Presidency hint that a replacement for Nnaji may be announced in the coming days as the government moves to sustain momentum in the crucial portfolio
