The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu for retaining his Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, amid allegations of forged academic credentials.
The controversy centers on claims that Nnaji obtained his ministerial post using a fake degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and a falsified National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate. Both institutions have publicly disowned the documents presented by the minister.
In a statement on Monday, ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi said the party was not surprised that President Tinubu has kept Nnaji in office despite mounting evidence and public outrage.
“This is a great disservice to the country, which has many qualified citizens of competence and integrity, to have at the head of a ministry meant to drive innovation a man tainted with such dubious credentials,” the statement read.
The opposition party described the government’s silence on the matter as evidence of a tolerance for corruption. ADC further highlighted a pattern of certificate-related scandals among top officials in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Credible public reports have revealed that both UNN and the NYSC have officially disowned the certificates Mr. Nnaji submitted for his ministerial appointment,” the party said. “Even more disturbing are his own court filings admitting that UNN never issued him any degree certificate.”
ADC is calling for Nnaji’s immediate suspension pending an independent investigation. The party says that if found guilty, he should face dismissal and legal prosecution for forgery and perjury.
“The longer the Tinubu government delays action, the clearer it becomes that integrity and accountability have no place in its leadership,” the statement added.
The party also urged the Nigerian Senate and security agencies responsible for vetting government nominees to review their processes, warning that their credibility is also at stake.