A live interview on Tuesday turned contentious when Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, and Arise News anchor, Rufai Oseni, engaged in a fiery exchange over the controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

The tension began when Oseni asked Umahi to clarify reports that he had allegedly complained to President Bola Tinubu about the journalist’s critical comments on the project. The minister swiftly dismissed the claim and appeared visibly annoyed by the question.

“You are too small for me to report you to the President. Who are you for me to report you?” Umahi retorted sharply.

The interview grew more heated when Umahi referred to himself as a “professor in engineering,” a claim Oseni challenged, prompting the minister to explain that the title was based on professional experience, not academic recognition.

“Keep quiet and stop saying what you don’t know. I’m a professor in this field. I understand engineering very well. You don’t understand anything,” Umahi said.

Oseni responded calmly, saying:

“Minister, it’s alright. Keep dignifying yourself and let the world know who you truly are.”

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has officially resigned from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet, citing sustained political persecution and alleged blackmail stemming from accusations of certificate forgery.

His resignation, which took effect on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, was confirmed in a statement issued by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, following some allegations against him,” the statement read.

In his resignation letter addressed to the President, Nnaji expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve but noted that the recent controversies had become a distraction.

“I wish to sincerely thank Your Excellency for giving me the rare privilege to serve Nigeria at the federal level. However, in light of the malicious blackmail and political persecution I have faced in recent weeks, I have chosen to resign to allow the government to focus on its developmental agenda without distraction,” Nnaji wrote.

Nnaji’s resignation follows mounting scrutiny over the authenticity of his academic credentials, particularly his alleged degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

Investigative reports and multiple statements from UNN have disclaimed the certificate he submitted during his ministerial screening in 2023.

Although Nnaji consistently denied any wrongdoing, the controversy reportedly led to increasing political pressure for him to step down, both to facilitate a transparent investigation and to protect the administration from further reputational damage.

President Tinubu, while accepting the resignation, thanked Nnaji for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.

“The President thanks him for his service and wishes him well in his future undertakings,” said Onanuga.

Sources close to the Enugu state government told DAILY GAZETTE that the search for a replacement has already begun, with Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah expected to play a pivotal role in nominating a new ministerial candidate from the state.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oba Maduabuchi, has described the recent legal action aimed at preventing former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 presidential election as a clear abuse of court process.

The suit, filed by Abuja-based lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, seeks a perpetual injunction barring Jonathan from contesting in 2027 or any future election. Filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, it also requests that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) be restrained from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name, and that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) be compelled to enforce such a court order.

Jideobi’s argument hinges on the belief that Jonathan has already served two terms—completing the tenure of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, then winning and completing a full term from 2011 to 2015.

However, appearing on ARISE TV’s Morning Show, Maduabuchi dismissed the suit as baseless and redundant, pointing out that a court in Yenagoa had already ruled on Jonathan’s eligibility—and that judgment still stands, unchallenged on appeal.

> “Until that judgment is set aside, it remains the law,” Maduabuchi asserted, stressing that revisiting the same matter in another court of equal jurisdiction constitutes judicial abuse.

He also challenged the legal argument regarding constitutional term limits, noting that Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which bars a person from taking the presidential oath more than twice, was only introduced in 2018—years after Jonathan took office in 2010 and 2011.

> “The law that governs any act is the one in force when the act occurred,” he said, emphasizing that no law existed in 2010 or 2011 that prevented Jonathan from seeking a second term.

Maduabuchi further illustrated his point by comparing it to judicial retirement laws:

> “If a judge retired under the previous retirement age of 65, and the age was later raised to 70, that doesn’t mean the retired judge can return to office under the new law.”

He concluded that applying a retrospective interpretation of the law is not only legally flawed but also constitutionally dangerous.

> “No amount of legal gymnastics can make a law apply retroactively. When Jonathan swore the oath in 2010 and 2011, Section 137(3) did not exist. So it could not have limited him.”

The SAN referenced previous Court of Appeal decisions affirming Jonathan’s right to contest and reiterated that the legal principle of certainty must prevail in a constitutional democracy.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially accepted the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu from his role as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking the end of his constitutionally permitted two-term tenure.

Prof. Yakubu, who was initially appointed in November 2015, served as the 14th INEC chairman.

His appointment was renewed in 2020 for a second and final five-year term, which has now concluded.

In a statement issued Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to Yakubu for his decade-long stewardship and contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development, particularly in ensuring the conduct of credible and transparent elections across the country.

As a mark of appreciation, President Tinubu conferred on the outgoing chairman the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

The president has also directed that May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner at INEC, assume the role of acting chairman.

She will oversee the commission’s affairs pending the appointment of a substantive successor.

In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Yakubu conveyed his appreciation to the president for the opportunity to serve the nation over the past ten years, saying it was an honour to contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral processes.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has once again disowned the Bachelor of Science degree presented by Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s recently resigned Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

In a new letter dated 6 October 2025, the university reiterated that although Mr. Nnaji was admitted in 1981, there is no record of his graduation or of any certificate being issued to him.

The statement was made in response to a Freedom of Information (FoI) request submitted by PREMIUM TIMES and was signed by Senior Deputy Registrar (Records), F.C. Achiuwa, on behalf of the university registrar, Celine Nnebedum.

“We have searched through the University of Nigeria graduation record for the 1985 session and we could not find Mr. Nnaji Geoffrey Uchechukwu’s name,” the letter stated.

“There is no indication that the certificate in his possession was issued by the University of Nigeria.”

This latest letter aligns with an earlier response from the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, dated 2 October 2025, which also stated that Mr. Nnaji did not graduate from the institution and that no certificate was issued to him.

“From every available record, we are unable to confirm that Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985,” the Vice-Chancellor wrote.

“The University of Nigeria, Nsukka DID NOT and therefore COULD NOT have issued the purported certificate to him.”

This marks the third official communication from UNN discrediting the certificate since May 2025, when the university first clarified to the Public Complaints Commission that there was no evidence of Nnaji’s graduation or certificate issuance.

The current statements also contradict a previous letter dated 21 December 2023, in which Registrar Celine Nnebedum had told People’s Gazette that Mr. Nnaji graduated in July 1985. That claim has since been formally retracted.

The latest developments support a recent investigative report by PREMIUM TIMES, which alleged that Mr. Nnaji forged not only his UNN degree but also his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate to secure his ministerial nomination in 2023.

Mr. Nnaji resigned from his ministerial role on October 7, 2025, citing political persecution and blackmail amid the growing scandal surrounding his academic credentials.

Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, has officially resigned from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet.

His resignation comes in the wake of mounting allegations related to certificate forgery and claims of political persecution.

The announcement was confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him,” the statement read.

Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, submitted a formal resignation letter addressed to the President. In it, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the nation but said he was stepping down due to what he described as “malicious blackmail and political persecution.”

“I wish to sincerely thank Your Excellency for giving me the rare privilege to serve Nigeria at the federal level,” he wrote.

“However, in light of the malicious blackmail and political persecution I have faced in recent weeks, I have chosen to resign to allow the government to focus on its developmental agenda without distraction.”

The resignation comes amid reports alleging that Nnaji submitted forged academic credentials during his ministerial screening before the Senate.

Media sources had pointed to inconsistencies in his degree certificates, raising doubts about his educational background, allegations Nnaji has repeatedly denied.

Sources say the political pressure intensified following the revelations, leading to calls for his resignation to enable an impartial investigation and minimize potential damage to the administration’s reputation.

President Tinubu, while accepting the resignation, thanked Nnaji for his service and extended his best wishes for his future.

“The President thanks him for his service and wishes him well in his future undertakings,” said Onanuga.

The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has announced the deregistration of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), effective October 6, 2025.

According to the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Omolara Esan, the CAC’s decision followed an extensive investigation that revealed an 18-year-long leadership crisis and multiple breaches of the NYCN Constitution and the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, especially Sections 833 and 834.

The CAC, citing its powers under Sections 8(1)(c) and 8(1)(d) of CAMA 2020, found that the Council had repeatedly violated governance standards, prompting the Commission to revoke the certificates and formally dissolve all existing leadership, trusteeship, and management claims within the organisation.

In response to the leadership vacuum, the CAC has appointed an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to run the affairs of the Council for one year, beginning October 6.

The Ministry of Youth Development affirmed its full support for this action, recognizing CAC’s statutory authority.

It urged all stakeholders, youth bodies, and partners to cooperate with the IMC to help restore order, legitimacy and unity within the Council.

The Ministry also reiterated its commitment to fostering youth development and institutional reform in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes transparency, accountability, and national progress.

President Bola Tinubu has declined to assent to two bills recently passed by the National Assembly, citing concerns that certain provisions could undermine fiscal discipline, contradict existing laws, and set risky precedents for managing public finances.

The President’s letters were read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session.

The bills rejected are the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (Establishment) Bill, 2025, and the National Library Trust Fund (Establishment, etc.) Amendment Bill, 2025.

While recognizing the broad objectives of the bills, President Tinubu pointed out that several clauses conflict with federal fiscal and administrative policies.

Regarding the Transport Technology Bill, he criticized provisions introducing new levies, allowing borrowing without adequate regulation, and permitting the investment of public funds in securities.

He warned these measures could create opaque revenue streams and increase the risk of misuse.

Specifically, Tinubu highlighted Section 18(4a), which proposes funding the institute through “One per cent of the freight on every import and export.”

He noted that imposing such a levy without approval from the Federal Executive Council could burden trade and circumvent the national budgeting process.

He also opposed Section 20, which grants the institute authority to borrow up to ₦50 million without presidential consent, describing it as a loophole that could facilitate repeated borrowing just below the threshold to evade oversight.

Sections 21 and 23, which allow investment of government-appropriated funds, were deemed “fiscally dangerous” by the President.

“These provisions, if implemented, would weaken fiscal discipline and create opportunities for financial abuse. For these reasons, I withhold my assent to the bill,” Tinubu stated.

In a separate letter rejecting the National Library Trust Fund Amendment Bill, the President acknowledged the bill’s commendable intentions but noted that several sections conflicted with existing federal laws and policy frameworks.

He pointed out problematic areas including agency funding, taxation of national entities, staff remuneration, and tenure or age limits, describing them as potentially unsustainable and contrary to the public interest.

“For these reasons, I cannot grant presidential assent to the bill in its current form. I urge the Senate to revisit and address the identified concerns,” the letter read.

Following the reading of both letters, Senate President Akpabio praised President Tinubu’s thorough review of legislation and directed relevant committees to revisit and amend the bills accordingly.

“This shows the seriousness with which Mr. President scrutinizes every legislation we pass. It is now our duty to carefully resolve the issues he has raised,” Akpabio stated.

The Senate has since referred the Transport Technology Bill to the Committee of the Whole and the Library Trust Fund Amendment Bill to the Committees on Special Duties and Establishment and Public Service Matters for further examination.

On October 7, 2025, Professor Mahmood Yakubu officially stepped down as Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ending a transformative and eventful 10-year tenure.

He leaves the commission in the hands of May Agbamuche-Mbu, a legal expert and senior commissioner, who assumes leadership in an acting capacity.

Yakubu made history as the first person to complete two consecutive full terms as INEC chair, overseeing major electoral milestones, including the 2019 and 2023 general elections.

Here are 10 defining moments from his tenure:

1. A Landmark Second Term Reappointed in 2020 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, Yakubu became the first INEC chair to serve back-to-back five-year terms, a feat unmatched in Nigeria’s electoral history.
2. Tech-Driven Innovations: BVAS and IReV Yakubu’s era saw the rollout of major tech reforms, most notably the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV). First piloted in the 2021 Anambra election, these tools were fully implemented during the 2023 general elections, aiming to enhance credibility and transparency in vote accreditation and result dissemination.
3. Year-Round Voter Registration INEC under Yakubu institutionalized continuous voter registration, allowing eligible Nigerians to register or update their information beyond traditional pre-election windows.
4. Polling Units Expansion In a move to improve voter access, the number of polling units across Nigeria was significantly increased, addressing long-standing concerns over overcrowding and distance.
5. Fixed Electoral Calendar Yakubu standardized the electoral timeline: federal elections held on the third Saturday of February, followed two weeks later by state-level polls. This scheduling helped stabilize the electoral process.
6. Strengthened Stakeholder Collaboration His leadership emphasized transparency and inclusivity, engaging with political parties, civil society groups, international observers, and the media to build confidence in the system.
7. Embracing Digitalization INEC adopted digital nomination portals, electronic accreditation platforms, and automated result transmission tools—part of a broader push to modernize electoral operations and reduce fraud.
8. Real-Time Monitoring Systems The commission introduced an Election Monitoring and Support Centre, using data analytics and performance metrics to identify and address real-time issues on election days.
9. Inclusive Voting Measures INEC under Yakubu prioritized accessibility—providing tools for persons with disabilities, ensuring early access for the elderly, and facilitating participation for internally displaced persons.
10. Guarding Institutional Autonomy Despite external pressures, Yakubu maintained INEC’s independence, often reiterating the commission’s constitutional mandate and commitment to neutrality.

Yet, his leadership wasn’t without challenges. The 2023 elections were marred by technical glitches, particularly in result transmission.

Allegations of bias and partisanship surfaced frequently, while issues like delayed deployment of materials and security lapses in conflict-prone areas plagued some polls.

Critics also pointed to growing public distrust and voter apathy.

As May Agbamuche-Mbu assumes the reins, the task of restoring public confidence and building on Yakubu’s reforms remains a pressing priority for Nigeria’s electoral future.