The resignation of Uche Nnaji as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology amid allegations of certificate forgery against him once again exposes a deep compromise within Nigeria’s vetting and appointment system.
Development Diaries reports that Nnaji stepped aside from the role on Tuesday following calls for his resignation, which has been acknowledged by President Bola Tinubu.
Nnaji allegedly forged a University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), degree certificate as well as his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.
It is hard to believe that a ministerial nominee could pass through the checks of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Senate, and the presidency without someone detecting discrepancies in his academic records.
This suggests negligence and a systemic failure that has turned vetting into a mere box-ticking ritual.
When due diligence is replaced by political convenience, the result is predictable, with unqualified individuals finding their way into sensitive offices, only to later embarrass the government and the nation.
This is not the first time Nigeria has witnessed such a scandal. The 2018 resignation of finance minister Kemi Adeosun over an alleged forged NYSC exemption certificate should have been a turning point.
Instead, it appears the system learnt nothing. Like Adeosun, Nnaji’s resignation raises questions about how our institutions handle background checks for presidential appointees.
The recurrence of these cases shows that the process is either deliberately compromised or carelessly executed. Nigerians deserve to know at what point these lapses occur and who benefits from overlooking them.
There is an urgent need for a transparent investigation into how Nnaji’s documents passed through every stage of scrutiny, from the DSS to the Senate confirmation, without being flagged.
The officials and agencies involved must be held accountable, not just for failing to detect fraud, but for betraying the public’s trust.
Their failure to act shows the same carelessness that made the Beta Edu scandal quietly disappear without real consequences. Till today, Nigerians have not heard the outcome of her investigation.
Until accountability is enforced, Nigeria’s governance system will remain trapped in a cycle of scandal, denial, and resignation.
Those responsible for vetting presidential nominees must finally rise to the seriousness of their mandate. Nigerians must demand a thorough, independent, and verifiable screening process for all appointees.
The presidency, the DSS, and the Senate must understand that confirming ministers is not a formality; it is a constitutional duty tied to national integrity.
Beyond resignation, there must be a full investigation by the police, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Anyone who benefits from a public office with forged certificates must face clear consequences, because public service should be built on honesty, not deceit.
Photo source: Uche Geoffery Nnaji
