The embattled former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has cited the “sustained campaign of falsehood” and “politically motivated attacks” as reasons for quitting the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Executive Council (FEC).
According to him, it is unfortunate that the media decided to feast on allegations that are deliberately and recklessly inaccurate and misleading against his person and office.
The immediate past Minister, who personally signed and posted a statement on his X handle, @ChiefUcheNnaji on Tuesday, said he took a deep reflection and consultations with his family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians before arriving at the painful decision.
He lamented that the malicious allegations in the media over the past week had caused personal distress and were beginning to distract from the vital work of the Ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
While insisting his resignation was not an admission of guilt but a principled decision made out of respect for due process and the ongoing judicial proceedings, Nnaji said, “As someone who has spent more than five decades building a reputation anchored on hard work, honour, and service to humanity, I cannot in good conscience allow these distractions to cast a shadow over the noble objectives of this administration”.
He expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve, reaffirming his support for the administration’s vision of a technologically driven Nigeria.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu, in accepting Nnaji’s resignation, wished him well in his future endeavours.
The full statement by Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology
After deep reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians, I have today tendered my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
This decision did not come lightly. Over the past week, an orchestrated sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated, and malicious attacks have been waged against my person, integrity, and office across print, electronic, and social media platforms.
These unfounded allegations and media distortions have not only caused personal distress but have also begun to distract from the vital work of the Ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.
As someone who has spent more than five decades building a reputation anchored on hard work, honour, and service to humanity, I cannot in good conscience allow these distractions to cast a shadow over the noble objectives of this administration.
My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice, not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court. In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just.
I remain deeply grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence he reposed in me and for the privilege to serve in his cabinet. His vision for a renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria is one I continue to hold dear, and I pledge my unflinching support to his administration and its transformative goals.
Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji
Former Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology
