By Abu Hassan
ABUJA, NIGERIA – Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has resigned from his position following revelations that the Bachelor of Science degree he claimed to possess was disowned by the issuing university.
The resignation, confirmed by Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, marks the abrupt end of Nnaji’s tenure amid intense scrutiny over his academic qualifications. Onanuga stated that President Bola Tinubu accepted the resignation and wished the former minister well.
The controversy centers on a B.Sc. certificate Nnaji claimed to have obtained from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). An internal investigation revealed that while the former official was admitted to UNN in 1981, university records confirmed he never completed his studies or successfully earned the required certificate.
Nnaji’s resignation addresses a growing public concern regarding the integrity of credentials held by top government officials in the country.
A Rampant Continental Issue
The incident further highlights the persistent and widespread problem of academic credential forgery among government officials and public figures across the African continent.
The issue, which contributes to a crisis of integrity in governance, has been reported frequently in several nations. In Liberia, the Civil Service Agency has adopted the responsibility of rigorously inspecting and verifying the credentials of state employees to combat the prevalence of fake certificates.
Similarly, Sierra Leone has seen multiple high-profile instances where credential forgery was exposed. Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya have also struggled with a pervasive culture of academic dishonesty, with concerns mounting over the number of unqualified individuals claiming advanced degrees, including doctorates, holding positions of power.
Experts suggest that strict verification processes, modeled after those being implemented in countries like Liberia, are critical to ensuring that public service positions are filled by genuinely qualified individuals and to restoring public trust in governance.
