The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu for retaining Uche Nnaji as Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation despite damning allegations and evidence that the certificates he submitted for his appointment were forged. The party described the administration’s silence on the matter as tolerance for corruption at the highest level.
The ADC highlighted that both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have officially disowned the certificates presented by Nnaji. Investigations revealed discrepancies such as incorrect signatures on the NYSC certificate and university records showing that Nnaji never completed his degree. Court filings by the minister himself reportedly admit non-issuance of a degree certificate by UNN.
The party called Nnaji’s continued presence in a ministry charged with driving innovation a “great disservice” to Nigeria and questioned why the administration failed to suspend him pending a thorough investigation. The ADC pleaded for accountability, insisting that certificate forgery is a crime that must be met with prosecution if proven.
This scandal involving certificate forgery fits into a broader pattern alleged by ADC of repeated ethical breaches within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party also criticized the Senate and security agencies for failing in their vetting responsibilities, warning that Nigerians’ trust cannot be sustained in a system tolerating dishonesty at high levels.