Lewis Chukwuma
principles serve as a moral foundation for individuals and societies, guiding actions and decisions. They require courage and integrity to uphold, especially during challenging times. These are indeed challenging times. A period when the souls of men are severely tested.
Its no longer news that Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, resigned his appointment on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. This decisive move, unexpected by many, flowed from a high-octane, politically scripted controversy over his academic qualification. Incidentally, the matter is before a court for appropriate adjudication.
Even as many, especially his foes, misread his bold resignation, Nwakaibeya, as he is fondly called, knows exactly what he is doing. Chief Nnaji instructively aligned himself with Thomas Jefferson’s sage counsel that, “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock”.
With compelling candour, uncommon in this realm, Chief Nnaji told his audience – both friends and foe – that, “For over five decades, I have built a reputation anchored on hard work, honour, and service to humanity. I could not, in good conscience, allow these distortions to cast a shadow over the noble objectives of the present administration.”
He spoke in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, explaining that he chose to step aside to allow due process to take its course amid allegations of certificate forgery levelled against him. The former Science and Tech Minister firmly stressed that his resignation was not an admission of wrongdoing, but a decision taken in respect of the judicial process and to uphold the integrity of government institutions.
His words: “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 the judicial proceedings currently before the court.”
He then expressed confidence that justice would eventually prevail, asserting that, “In the end, justice will vindicate the just.”
Perhaps, many may have forgotten the 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower once proclaimed that a society valuing privileges over principles risks losing both. Eisenhower who planned and supervised two of the most consequential military campaigns of World War II should know.
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Chief Nnaji as the nation’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology in August 16, 2023, he knew exactly the role the quiet scientist-cum-business mogul would play in his vision to construct a new nation in a world more currently defined by global disruptions as well as compelling opportunities.
But the nimble, circumspect presidential pick has opponents aplenty, especially in his native Enugu State, the South-Eastern region’s center of socio-political gravity. In the astute biochemist, they see a new, principled and large-hearted leader who has faithfully paid his dues and now ripe for higher political responsibility. And this is the seed of Chief Nnaji’s travails. But his coven of traducers badly misread their agile prey because his sheer focus and seething vision spare no hurdles.
It’s against this backdrop that the apparent drab script of alleged certificate forgery was birthed and prosecuted with surprising energy, reportedly enlisting even the respected academia and critical media as foot soldiers. There is more.
A central figure often blamed for the drama to unhorse the Science and Technology Minister’s sterling trajectory is Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State. Mbah is seen to firmly believe that Chief Nnaji is the sole, powerful rock blocking him from defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, which he trusts would provide a solid platform from which to prosecute his second term governorship ambition in 2027 – unlike the crisis-riven Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Willy-nilly, this curious gaming led to the University of Nigeria denying it winnowed Chief Nnaji in her academic crucible. But this awaits the courts adjudication.
Significantly, in all the drama, Chief Nnaji has consistently made it clear that UNN is his alma mater and he completed the due processes that led up to his degree certification and mandatory national youth service. The related 1985 convocation record is out and in the public domain.
More, the former minister’s succinct press briefing on Monday, October 6, 2025 put a lot matters to rest and especially put the UNN VC on the spot. He proclaimed to the gawking media and rapt Nigerians that he is indeed a proud alumnus of UNN. For good measure, he appropriately dismissed his travails as a “politically motivated media trial.” And this why he is standing pretty firm.
In the media briefing held in Abuja, on Monday, October 6, 2025, the former minister stated clearly that he graduated from UNN in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry, with Second Class (Honours) Lower Division.
“Let me state clearly and for the record: Chief Uche Nnaji is a proud alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), having graduated in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry, with Second Class (Honours) Lower Division,” Dr. Robert Ngwu, spokesperson to the minister told the audience.
“That fact is not in doubt. It is documented in the University’s own records, acknowledged in its official correspondence, and reflected in its 1985 Convocation Brochure, which remains part of UNN’s permanent archives. We have called this briefing to address the deliberate misinformation recently circulated in some sections of the media regarding the academic credentials of Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji.”
Displaying notable emotional intelligence flowing from an awareness that the administration he had served faithfully is steeped in tough governance challenges, he simply took the decision to stand down. The move has expectedly drawn wide ranging reactions. Not many know that Chief Nnaji who brought new, pragmatic thinking to the science ministry, is one of the closest cabinet members to President Tinubu.
Rights activist lawyer, Dele Farotimi, declared Chief Nnaji the most honorable among other members of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. In a post on X, Farotimi thumbed up Nnaji for his action. He wrote: “I don’t know him, and I no send am. BUT this guy is more honorable than every other person in the cabinet from which he has ‘honorably’ resigned.
According to an anonymous 19th Century writer, “Failure comes only when we forget our ideals and objectives and principles.”
Principles are linked to personal growth and values. Forgetting principles can lead to failure. Victor Hugo advised changing opinions but keeping principles, like changing leaves but keeping roots intact. Timeless principles and high standards are seen as necessary guides. Without principles, one is merely “a bag of animal flesh”. Principles translate values into action, preventing a truth seeker from getting lost.
Today, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, a pragmatic, progressive disruptor, Chief Uche Nnaji, with his resignation has sent a powerful message to both the young impressionable Nigerians and the country’s fractured elite that without principle, there is indeed, no country.
Nigerians wait and watch as the lone star from the East hefts his burden of principle.
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