Uche Nnaji: My Resignation Is Not an Admission of Guilt

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, says his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet is not an admission of guilt but an act of respect for due process.

Nnaji stepped down on Monday following allegations that the university degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate he submitted were forged.

An investigation by another online news media – Premium Times – alleged that the Enugu-born politician did not complete his university education and falsified the academic and service credentials he presented to the presidency, the Senate, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement released shortly after his resignation, Nnaji said the decision came after “deep reflection and consultations” with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians.

“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 said.

Nnaji, who joined Tinubu’s cabinet in August 2023, said he had spent over five decades building a reputation based on “hard work, honour, and service to humanity.”

He maintained that his decision to step aside was not a confession but a deliberate move to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations and the office he once held.

“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,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, pledging continued support for the administration’s goals.

“I remain deeply grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the confidence he reposed in me and for the privilege to serve in his cabinet. His vision for a renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria is one I continue to hold dear,” he said.