Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, was recently dragged into a controversy that culminated in his resignation this week. KINGSLEY ALUMONA sampled the opinions of some Nigerians on this issue. Their views:
Ismaeel Soulayman
Uche Nnaji represents a global community of non-corruptible leaders who deserve commendation rather than condemnation for taking the boldest step to resign his elated post as minister of science and technology, with no pressure, due to a certificate forgery case. It shows he has decorum and respect for authority, especially to uphold the sanctity of democracy, undiluted politics, and revered leadership.
I commend him for his resilience, determination, and courage to renounce all forms of luxury to lay a foundation of righteousness and fundamentally pave the way for a new kind of leadership in Nigeria.
Jerome Tseem
The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted an exhaustive screening on Uche Nnaji in 2022, deeming him eligible to contest the 2023 governorship election in Enugu State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Furthermore, the DSS and the Nigerian Senate, upon his nomination by President Bola Tinubu in 2023, screened and certified him fit for a ministerial appointment.
If these institutions and agencies provide a transparent and detailed explanation of their screening processes, we can ascertain whether he is being untruthful or if Premium Times and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) are providing false information.
The DSS and the Senate, in particular, must provide a thorough explanation of how he successfully completed their screenings and was cleared for a ministerial appointment by President Bola Tinubu, including evidence of their communication with UNN. This is essential to bring an end to this national debacle.
Glorious Idowu
Resignation is not an option in this situation. Uche Geoffrey Nnaji has proved that he is guilty of the allegations leveled against him. This is a disgrace to Nigeria’s governance and political institutions.
Kadon Kati
I like that boldness from Uche Geoffrey Nnaji. However, let him go to the press and apologise to Nigerians. The allegation against him shows that our system of government is corrupt.
Adamu Abdelkariim
The resignation of Minister Uche Nnaji over alleged certificate forgery is deeply concerning and reflects a troubling pattern in public service. Leaders entrusted with national development, especially in science and innovation, must uphold the highest standards of integrity. If the allegations are true, it undermines the credibility of our institutions and sets a dangerous precedent.
Minister Uche Nnaji’s resignation is the right step, but it should not end there. Full investigation and accountability are essential to restore public trust and ensure that merit, not manipulation, defines leadership in Nigeria.
Goodluck Akpodeh
Imagine somebody who allegedly forged a certificate, cleared by INEC to contest a governorship election, failed, and was compensated with a ministerial appointment as a minister of innovation, science and technology.
Johnson Pelumi
This has showed that the Nigeria Senate is not competence, because not properly screening and probing the minister shows that Nigeria lacks accountability and sufficiency in politics. Moreover, the minister contested to be governor of Enugu State in 2023 and was screened by his party and INEC.
Asiegbu Nkpa
Resignation is a necessary first step. The next and non-negotiable step is a full, transparent investigation to determine how a forged certificate slipped through a multilayer screening. Any officers found negligent or complicit must be sanctioned. Beyond that, the entire security-clearance framework needs an overhaul – independent, rigorous credential verification, digital validation of certificates, and clear accountability for failures. Security clearance should mean exactly this – every claim and document authenticated.
Sirquin Lyrics
The minister’s resignation is a welcome development for the health of our democracy. In other words, public office is no man’s land. Justice must be served against forgery. We can do better.
Abdulaziz Lawal
The verification and screening of certificates should extend to all ministers, members of the National Assembly, as well as ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), and state executive councils, etc. Only the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) can be trusted to conduct the exercise.
Yusuf Shogbesan
No one should be able to forge any certificate of a tertiary institution in a sane situation and not be detected. The case of resignation of the minister over alleged certificate forgery is just a way to avoid being sacked and disgraced out of office. The issue should be treated normally, as would have been done to the common man, because nobody is above the law.
Tolulope Babatunde
What does the law say about certificate forgery and lying under oath? This should not end as a mere resignation. The minister was in office for about two years. What happens to the salaries and bonuses he received in those two years, and the prosecution that should come with forgery?
Dauda Ajiji
Uche Nnaji has to resign because his conscience would not leave him. Most adults who attended evening schools are like that – they want to have a qualification or certificate they cannot defend.