Mahdi Shehu Demands Ex-Minister Nnaji Refund Salaries, Says Resignation Not Enough After Certificate Scandal
Story: written by Peterson October 8,2025
Nigerian activist and public affairs commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has called on the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, to refund all salaries and allowances he received while serving in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, following his resignation over an alleged certificate forgery scandal.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Shehu described Nnaji as a “disgraced minister” who earned public funds under false pretence. He insisted that the former minister must repay every kobo collected during his time in office.
“Others yet to resign — forgers occupying various government seats — should prepare because their days are numbered. Like Nnaji, they will leave soon, willingly or unwillingly,” Shehu warned.
Nnaji’s resignation came after investigations revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) disowned the Bachelor of Science degree he claimed to hold. According to UNN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon U. Ortuanya, Nnaji was admitted to the university in 1981 but failed to complete his studies and was never awarded a degree.
The probe also uncovered that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) could not verify the authenticity of the NYSC certificate Nnaji presented.
The Presidency, through Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed the minister’s resignation in a statement issued on Tuesday, stating that Nnaji had tendered his resignation letter to President Tinubu, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
“He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria,” the statement read.
While the Presidency suggested that Nnaji had been a target of political attacks, the former minister maintained that his decision to step down was voluntary and not an admission of guilt.
“My decision to step aside is a personal choice to respect due process and allow justice to take its course. I believe justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just,” Nnaji stated.
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