From Adeosun to Nnaji: How Nigeria’s Vetting System Keeps Failing

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of harbouring individuals with questionable academic records, following the resignation of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.

In a statement on Wednesday, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said President Bola Tinubu’s decision to merely accept Nnaji’s resignation, rather than ordering a full-scale probe, reflects leniency toward misconduct.
“The APC has normalised deceit, turning it into a defining trait while providing refuge for individuals with dubious integrity and forged credentials,” Abdullahi said. “We are appalled that the minister was allowed to quietly resign after publicly admitting that the certificates he presented were not issued by the relevant institutions.”

The ADC insisted that resignation does not absolve criminal liability, stressing that forgery is a criminal offence under Nigerian law. “If found guilty, Mr. Nnaji should be prosecuted. Anything less will amount to a cover-up,” the ADC maintained.

Nnaji Denies Wrongdoing, Says Resignation Is ‘Principled Decision’

In his defence, Mr. Uche Nnaji denied the allegations of certificate forgery, describing them as “politically motivated and malicious.” In a statement issued on Wednesday, the former minister said his resignation was not an admission of guilt but a decision made out of respect for due process.

“After deep reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians, I have tendered my resignation to President Bola Tinubu,” Nnaji said. “My decision to step aside is not an admission of guilt but a principled decision to preserve the integrity of judicial proceedings currently before the court.”

Nnaji expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, reiterating his support for the administration’s vision of a technologically driven Nigeria. He emphasised that he remains committed to contributing to the nation’s innovation and development agenda despite the controversy surrounding his exit.

HEDA Condemns Institutional Failures in Vetting Process

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has criticised the Presidency, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Senate for their roles in Nnaji’s appointment and confirmation, calling the episode a “shameful institutional failure.”

In a statement by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA accused key government institutions of ignoring red flags and public outcry during the screening process. “It is disheartening that President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio, and the DSS all ignored clear evidence of forgery. This incident erodes public trust and reinforces the perception that corruption and impunity remain entrenched within the political leadership,” Suraju said.

The organisation recalled that it had earlier petitioned the President and the Senate in June 2024, calling for Nnaji’s suspension and investigation, but its warnings went unheeded. HEDA also accused the DSS of negligence, claiming it either failed to verify Nnaji’s credentials or suppressed evidence during his security clearance.

“From Kemi Adeosun to Stella Oduah, and now Geoffrey Nnaji, this pattern of negligence has become too consistent to ignore,” the group added. HEDA urged the President to direct the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough investigation, commending Premium Times for its investigative work that exposed the alleged forgery.

As public scrutiny intensifies, the Nnaji certificate saga has reignited conversations around accountability, institutional integrity, and political morality in Nigeria’s governance structure. Whether the government will move beyond resignation to actual prosecution remains to be seen — but the public’s demand for transparency and justice continues to grow louder.