In a scathing critique of Nigeria’s current administration, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the recent resignation of Uche Nnaji, the erstwhile Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, as a calculated move to gloss over yet another scandal plaguing President Bola Tinubu’s government. The resignation, announced on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, followed an explosive investigative report by Premium Times, which alleged that Nnaji had submitted forged academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates during his ministerial screening by the Senate in 2023. The report claimed that both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the NYSC had disowned the credentials presented by Nnaji, raising serious questions about the integrity of the vetting process and the administration’s commitment to transparency.
Atiku, in a strongly worded statement posted on his official X handle on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, condemned the resignation as inadequate and called for Nnaji’s immediate dismissal and prosecution. He argued that allowing Nnaji to resign voluntarily was an attempt to downplay the gravity of the allegations and shield the administration from accountability. “Tuesday’s resignation of Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, has once again brought to light the deep moral crisis within this government,” Atiku stated. “What should ordinarily be a matter of national shame is now being disguised as a ‘voluntary resignation’—an attempt to whitewash yet another scandal that typifies the forgery-ridden character of this administration.”
The former vice president’s remarks underscore growing public concern about the credibility of public officials and the processes that enable their appointment. The allegations against Nnaji are particularly damning, as they suggest a failure of due diligence by the institutions responsible for vetting high-ranking officials. According to the Premium Times investigation, the documents Nnaji submitted to the Senate, including his academic qualifications and NYSC certificate, were found to be inauthentic. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, reportedly confirmed that it had no record of Nnaji’s claimed academic credentials, while the NYSC similarly disavowed the certificate he presented. These revelations have sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning how such discrepancies could have gone unnoticed during the screening process.
Atiku’s criticism extended beyond Nnaji to the Department of State Services (DSS), the agency tasked with conducting background checks on ministerial nominees. He accused the DSS of applying double standards, pointing out that while the agency had previously disqualified former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai from a ministerial position in 2023 over alleged security concerns, it had inexplicably cleared Nnaji despite the glaring discrepancies in his credentials. “What makes this even more embarrassing is that the same DSS which screened out Mallam Nasir el-Rufai for alleged security concerns is the very agency that cleared this same character, Uche Nnaji,” Atiku remarked. This inconsistency, he argued, raises serious questions about the integrity and impartiality of the DSS’s vetting process.
The former vice president’s comments also alluded to a broader pattern of deceit within the Tinubu administration. Without directly naming the president, Atiku made a pointed reference to “controversies surrounding academic and identity records” at the “very top.” This appears to be a veiled allusion to ongoing debates about President Tinubu’s own academic credentials, which have been the subject of public scrutiny and legal challenges since his emergence as a presidential candidate. Atiku’s remarks suggest that the Nnaji scandal is not an isolated incident but part of a systemic issue within the administration, characterized by a lack of transparency and accountability.
In light of these concerns, Atiku called for a comprehensive and independent investigation into the credentials of all members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), including President Tinubu himself. He emphasized that such a probe was necessary to restore public confidence in governance and prevent further erosion of Nigeria’s moral and institutional fabric. “Until this cleansing is done, Nigeria will continue to sink deeper into moral decay, economic ruin, and global embarrassment,” he warned. His demand for a thorough investigation reflects growing public frustration with recurring allegations of fraud and misconduct among public officials, which have undermined trust in the government.
The Nnaji scandal is the latest in a series of controversies that have dogged the Tinubu administration since its inception in May 2023. Critics argue that the administration has been plagued by a lack of accountability, with several high-profile appointees facing allegations of corruption, incompetence, or fraudulent credentials. The case of Nnaji, a key figure in a ministry tasked with driving innovation and technological advancement, is particularly troubling, as it raises questions about the competence and legitimacy of those entrusted with shaping Nigeria’s future.
Atiku’s call for a probe into the credentials of the FEC and the president is likely to resonate with many Nigerians who have grown disillusioned with the state of governance in the country. The demand for transparency comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with significant economic and social challenges, including rising inflation, unemployment, and insecurity. Many citizens believe that addressing issues of credibility and integrity in public office is essential to tackling these broader problems.
However, Atiku’s comments are not without their own political undertones. As a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a prominent critic of the Tinubu administration, his statements could be interpreted as an attempt to score political points against his rivals in the All Progressives Congress (APC). Nevertheless, the issues he raises—particularly regarding the DSS’s vetting process and the need for accountability—transcend partisan politics and touch on fundamental questions of governance and public trust.
The response from the presidency and the DSS to Atiku’s allegations has been muted so far, with no official statement addressing the specific claims about Nnaji’s credentials or the broader call for an investigation. This silence is likely to fuel further speculation and public discontent, as Nigerians await clarity on how the government intends to address the scandal. For now, the resignation of Uche Nnaji has done little to quell the controversy, instead amplifying calls for systemic reform and greater scrutiny of those in power.
As the debate over Nnaji’s resignation and the broader issue of credential fraud continues, it underscores the urgent need for stronger institutional mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s governance. The allegations against Nnaji, combined with Atiku’s demand for a probe, highlight the fragility of public trust in the current administration and the challenges it faces in restoring confidence. For many Nigerians, the hope is that this scandal will serve as a catalyst for meaningful reform, ensuring that those entrusted with public office are held to the highest standards of integrity and competence.
In conclusion, Atiku Abubakar’s criticism of Uche Nnaji’s resignation and his allegations against the DSS have brought renewed attention to the issue of credential fraud in Nigeria’s government. By calling for an independent investigation into the credentials of the president and his cabinet, Atiku has amplified public demands for transparency and accountability. As Nigeria navigates a complex political and economic landscape, addressing these concerns will be critical to rebuilding trust and ensuring effective governance. The Nnaji scandal, far from being an isolated incident, serves as a stark reminder of the deeper challenges facing the country’s leadership and the urgent need for systemic reform.
