The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate suspension of Chief Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, following allegations of certificate forgery.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, issued a statement in Abuja condemning the continued retention of Nnaji in the Federal Executive Council, despite what the ADC describes as “overwhelming evidence” that his academic credentials are fraudulent.
According to the ADC, both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have denied issuing the certificates Nnaji presented during his ministerial nomination process.
Even more damning, the party says, are court documents reportedly filed by Nnaji himself, in which he allegedly admitted that UNN never awarded him a degree.
“It is a national disgrace that someone facing such serious allegations remains in charge of a ministry tasked with advancing science, research, and innovation,” the statement read.
The party also criticized the silence from President Bola Tinubu’s administration on the matter, interpreting it as an endorsement of unethical behavior.
“This is not an isolated case. The APC government has a long and well-documented history of certificate scandals among top officials,” the ADC claimed.
“This culture of impunity reflects a government that has normalized deceit at the highest levels.”
The ADC stressed that appointing individuals with questionable integrity undermines the credibility of governance and erodes public trust.
It argued that Nigeria is rich with competent professionals, both at home and abroad, who have earned their qualifications through integrity and hard work, yet the government continues to overlook them in favor of politically connected individuals with dubious records.
Calling the situation a “test of leadership credibility,” the ADC demanded that Nnaji be suspended immediately and subjected to an independent investigation.
“If found guilty, the Minister should not only be dismissed but also prosecuted for forgery and perjury,” the statement continued.
“Certificate forgery is not a minor issue; it’s a criminal offense, and the law must take its full course.”
The party further urged the National Assembly and security agencies involved in the vetting of political appointees, including the Department of State Services (DSS), to review their procedures, noting that this incident exposes severe flaws in the screening process.
“A Senate that rubber-stamps every presidential nominee without due diligence is complicit in eroding democratic accountability,” the ADC concluded.
