The Rise and Fall of Uche Nnaji: A Tech Minister’s Turbulent Journey

Key points: 

1. Overcame 1978 hardship, studied UNN 1981-85, built pharmaceutical empire
2. Secured 2022 APC nomination, pushed tech-driven growth as contender
3. Led 2023-25 AI, biotech, STEM as minister, faced credential doubts
4. 2025 Premium Times exposé revealed fake UNN degree, NYSC fraud
5. Resigned 2025 amid forgery scandal, faces EFCC probe, public outrage.

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a dramatic turn that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political corridors, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji – better known as Chief Uche Nnaji or Nwakaibie – has resigned as Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology amid explosive allegations of certificate forgery.

The 62-year-old Enugu-born politician, once hailed as a beacon of entrepreneurial grit and visionary leadership, stepped down just three days after a damning two-year investigation by Premium Times exposed what it called a “painstaking” web of falsified credentials submitted during his 2023 Senate screening.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu accepted the resignation on Tuesday evening, with spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirming the move in a terse statement: “Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents. President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.”

Timeline of Nnaji’s rise and fall

Nnaji’s exit marks the abrupt end to a meteoric rise that saw him evolve from a small-town entrepreneur to a governorship contender and, ultimately, a cabinet heavyweight tasked with steering Nigeria’s tech and innovation agenda.

Yet, it also underscores the fragility of public trust in a nation weary of scandals. As one civil society activist put it on social media, “From boardrooms to the cabinet, the same old playbook: ambition over authenticity.”

Humble Beginnings: Forged in Resilience

Born on June 16, 1963, in the rural community of Akpugo, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nnaji’s early life was a testament to unyielding determination.

The eldest of four children to Chief Obed Nnaji, a local figure of modest means, and his wife, young Uche faced tragedy early: his father died suddenly in 1978, thrusting the family into financial hardship.

Raised by a “industrious and principled” mother who became the household’s sole breadwinner, Nnaji imbibed lessons of discipline, integrity, and prudent management that would later define his public persona – at least on the surface.

His educational journey unfolded entirely within Enugu State, rooting him deeply in his Igbo heritage. Nnaji began at Santa Maria Primary School (now Zik’s Avenue Primary School) in Enugu, where he laid the groundwork for a life of ambition.

He progressed to St. Patrick’s Secondary School in the same city, excelling enough to secure admission to the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

There, he enrolled in 1981 for a degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology – fields that aligned with his budding interest in pharmaceuticals and science.

Nnaji never completed the program, failing to graduate or receive a certificate after struggling with a terminal course exam as late as 1985.

However, records later revealed by Premium Times paint a far grimmer picture: Nnaji never completed the program, failing to graduate or receive a certificate after struggling with a terminal course exam as late as 1985.

He later claimed in resignation statements to have earned the degree, insisting the allegations were “politically motivated falsehoods.”

From Business Mogul to Political Contender

Undeterred by academic setbacks, Nnaji channeled his energy into the cutthroat world of entrepreneurship after completing his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) – another credential now under scrutiny, with the NYSC deeming his 2023-submitted certificate unverifiable.

He built a formidable business empire in importation and procurement, specializing in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, motor spare parts, and high-tech equipment.

Geoffrey Nnaji, alongside others, was sworn in at the State House.

Sourcing from global hubs like the UK, Germany, Taiwan, India, and Hong Kong, Nnaji secured lucrative contracts, including the supply and installation of specialized plumbing and medical gear for the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) in Ituku/Ozalla.

These ventures not only amassed wealth but also earned him the moniker “Nwakaibie” – a nod to his reputation as a shrewd dealmaker.

By the early 2020s, Nnaji’s success propelled him into politics, where his Enugu roots and business acumen positioned him as a fresh face in a crowded field.

In May 2022, he clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination for Enugu State governor unopposed, vowing in his acceptance speech to transform the “Coal City” into an industrial powerhouse and bring “prosperity to every doorstep.”

His 2023 campaign manifesto emphasized youth empowerment, tech-driven agriculture, and infrastructure revival, resonating with voters disillusioned by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

We are not just building labs; we are igniting minds

Though he garnered about 4% of the vote – trailing winner Peter Mbah and Labour Party’s Chijioke Edeoga – the bid catapulted him onto the national stage. Internal APC infighting, including his rejection of campaign funds from then-presidential candidate Tinubu, marred the race but highlighted his independent streak.

Ministerial Glory: Championing Nigeria’s Tech Frontier

Nnaji’s fortunes soared in August 2023 when President Tinubu, fresh from his own certificate controversy, nominated him among 28 ministerial picks.

Sworn in on August 16 as head of the newly rebranded Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Nnaji was tasked with a mandate as ambitious as Nigeria’s untapped potential: revitalizing R&D, bridging public-private divides, and positioning the country as an African tech leader.

A devout Christian and family man – married with four children – he projected humility and philanthropy, often crediting “divine grace” for his ascent.

In his two-year tenure, Nnaji notched tangible wins. He spearheaded collaborations with tech giants for AI and biotech hubs, boosted funding for STEM scholarships, and launched initiatives to integrate innovation into agriculture – Enugu’s coal-mining legacy reimagined through green tech.

“We are not just building labs; we are igniting minds,” he declared at a 2024 Lagos Tech Summit, earning plaudits from industry leaders. Yet, whispers of his unverified credentials lingered from his nomination, dismissed by allies as PDP smears.

The Unraveling: Forgery Claims and Swift Exit

The facade crumbled on October 5, 2025, when Premium Times dropped its bombshell exposé, triggered by a whistleblower tip and corroborated by UNN records, NYSC archives, and Senate filings.

The probe alleged Nnaji forged his UNN degree – claiming a 1985 graduation he never achieved – and his NYSC certificate, submitted just months before his appointment.

A UNN vice-chancellor confirmed: “He was admitted in 1981 but never completed his studies or received a certificate.”

What comes next for the man who almost rewrote Enugu’s story?

The scandal reignited fury over similar high-profile cases, with activists like Inibehe Effiong demanding police surrender and prosecution under Nigeria’s Criminal Code, which could net up to 21 years for forgery.

Nnaji skipped a Monday press conference meant to rebut the claims, fueling speculation.

In his resignation letter, he decried an “orchestrated campaign of falsehood” distracting from the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” stopping short of admitting guilt but acknowledging the probe’s toll on his ministry.

As investigations loom – with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly probing – Nnaji retreats to Enugu, his legacy a cautionary tale.

From a father’s early grave to a cabinet seat’s pinnacle, his journey was one of bold reinvention. But in Nigeria’s unforgiving arena, where credentials are currency, the counterfeit proved fatal. What comes next for the man who almost rewrote Enugu’s story? Only time – and perhaps the courts – will tell.

Read Also: What You Should Know as Longest-Serving INEC Chair Yakubu Bows Out