The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has come down hard on the Tinubu administration over its refusal to act on the certificate forgery scandal rocking the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Uche Nnaji, describing the situation as a national disgrace and another proof that integrity means nothing to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a blistering statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it was “not surprised” that despite overwhelming evidence — including Nnaji’s own admission that the certificates he submitted were never issued by the institutions — he continues to sit in office as a federal minister.
“This is not an isolated case,” the ADC charged. “The APC government has a long, familiar history of certificate scandals and dubious academic claims among top officials. These repeated scandals expose a party that is comfortable with deceit and utterly indifferent to basic ethical standards.”
The opposition party cited official disclaimers by both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) rejecting the certificates presented by Nnaji, adding that court documents filed by the minister himself confirmed that UNN never awarded him any degree.
“Why is someone who has admitted to submitting forged documents still occupying a ministerial office?” the ADC queried. “By refusing to act, President Tinubu is openly endorsing fraudulent conduct in his government and making a mockery of his much-touted war against corruption.”
The party described it as “a national tragedy” that a ministry charged with driving research, innovation, and knowledge advancement is now headed by a man whose academic credentials are discredited. “This scandal reflects the APC’s moral bankruptcy and its contempt for integrity and learning,” it added.
The ADC called for the immediate suspension of Minister Nnaji pending an independent investigation and urged that, if found guilty, he should be dismissed and prosecuted for forgery and perjury. “Certificate forgery is not a mistake — it is a crime. And if proven, it must be punished to the full extent of the law,” the party insisted.
It also took aim at the Senate and the Department of State Services (DSS), accusing both institutions of failing Nigerians by clearing such a tainted nominee. “A Senate that has reduced itself to a rubber stamp for the President will continue to betray its constitutional duty,” the statement read.
“Any government that populates itself with people who lie under oath has no moral right to demand the trust of the people,” the ADC concluded.
APC’s full statement reads:
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is not surprised that despite mounting evidence and public outrage, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Mr. Uche Nnaji, remains in office after being accused and subsequently admitting that the certificates he presented were not issued by the relevant institutions and may have been forged.
We note that this is not an isolated case. The APC government has had a long, public, and familiar record of certificate-related scandals and questionable academic claims among top officials. These recurring scandals and the persistent stench of certificate forgery are indeed reflective of a party that is foundationally accommodating of deceit and clearly unbothered by basic ethical considerations.
Credible public reports have revealed that both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have officially disowned the certificates Mr. Nnaji submitted for his ministerial appointment. Even more disturbing are his own court filings admitting that UNN never issued him any degree certificate.
At this point, the question that every Nigerian is asking is simple: if the Minister is not honourable enough to resign, why is the Tinubu administration still keeping him in office? By refusing to act, the Tinubu government and the APC are admitting their complicity in such fraudulent conduct at the highest levels of their government, and making a mockery of their claims to fighting corruption.
On our part, the ADC believes that the very credibility of any governance begins with the integrity of the people elected or appointed to run it. Nigerians cannot be expected to trust a government that is populated by people who have lied under oath about their qualifications.
In this particular instance, a ministry whose mandate is to drive innovation, research, and the advancement of knowledge is now tainted by the dubious credentials of the man that President Tinubu has found fit to serve.
This is deeply unfortunate, but also reflective of the moral compass of this APC government and its scant regard for both integrity and knowledge acquisition.
Our country is blessed with competent and qualified minds in all fields of human endeavour, both at home and across the world; brilliant minds who have earned their place through hard work, integrity, and excellence. Yet this APC government could only find suitable for appointment to such a strategic ministry, or any ministry at all, a man whose claim to higher education has now been brought to question.
The ADC calls for the immediate suspension of Minister Nnaji pending a full independent investigation. If found guilty, he should not only be dismissed with ignominy, he should also face full prosecution for forgery and perjury. Certificate forgery is not a clerical error, it is a crime. If proven, it must attract the full weight of the law. The longer the Tinubu government delays action, the clearer it becomes that integrity and accountability have no place in its leadership consideration.
Both the Senate and the DSS that undertake the responsibility of vetting nominees into high positions in government must also accept vicarious liability and seize this as an invitation to review their vetting process. A Senate that has obliged itself unreservedly to the will of the President is liable to fail in its duty to the people.
Signed:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
6 OCTOBER 2025.
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