Nigeria: Nnaji says resignation is personal choice, not admission of guilt

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has clarified that his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet is a personal decision and not an acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

Appointed in August 2023, Nnaji announced his resignation in a letter to the President, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve. He said the decision comes amid controversies surrounding allegations of certificate forgery.

“Over the past week, a sustained campaign of falsehood and politically motivated attacks has been waged against me across media platforms,” Nnaji said. He explained that these unfounded allegations caused personal distress and distracted him from his duties.

Reflecting on his five decades of service built on hard work and integrity, Nnaji said he could not, in good conscience, allow these distortions to overshadow the administration’s objectives.

“My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice, not an admission of guilt. It is a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of judicial proceedings currently before the court,” he stated.

Nnaji concluded by expressing confidence that justice will ultimately prevail and vindicate the innocent.