Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has said his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet was a personal decision to safeguard his integrity and avoid distractions to the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Nnaji stepped down on Tuesday amid controversies over his academic credentials and allegations of certificate forgery.
The Presidency confirmed his resignation in a statement the same day.
In his own statement, the former minister said he took the decision after “deep reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians.”
According to him, his exit followed what he described as “an orchestrated, sustained campaign of falsehood and politically motivated attacks” against his person and office.
“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,” Nnaji said.
He stressed that stepping aside was not an admission of wrongdoing but a move to respect due process and ongoing judicial proceedings.
“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 preserve the integrity of judicial proceedings currently before the court.
In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just,” he added.
Nnaji said he could not in good conscience allow distractions to undermine the goals of the Tinubu administration, noting that his reputation over five decades was built on hard work, honour, and service to humanity.
He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and pledged continued loyalty to the administration’s vision of a “renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria.”
Nnaji was appointed in August 2023 and served until his resignation amid investigations into alleged procurement irregularities in his ministry.