.As civil society groups gear up for showdown
By Yahaya Umar, Abuja
Coalition of Civil Organisations Against Corruption, COCOC, which described itself as a broad network of society movements committed to integrity, transparency, and accountability in public service, yesterday, expressed deep concern and utter disappointment over the alleged recent certificate scandal involving the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji.
This is contained in a press statement signed by
National Coordinator of COCOC, Comrade
Ibrahim Yusuf and National Secretary of the group
Comrade Adaeze Okafor, made available to AljazirahNigeria, yesterday, stated that “It is shameful, embarrassing, and completely unacceptable that a person occupying such a sensitive and prestigious office in the Federal Executive Council is now embroiled in a scandal that questions the authenticity of his academic qualifications, a direct insult to the Nigerian people and an assault on the values of integrity and meritocracy”.
“From available verified information in the public domain, there are overwhelming inconsistencies and irregularities surrounding the Minister’s claimed academic records. These disturbing revelations not only undermine the credibility of his office but also cast a dark shadow on the administration’s fight against corruption and its ongoing reforms to sanitize the system”, the statement read.
Furthermore, “The Coalition notes that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has made notable strides in promoting accountability, discipline, and merit in governance. However, the continued retention of Chief Nnaji in office in the face of these damning allegations represents a moral and ethical contradiction to the President’s declared zero-tolerance for corruption and fraudulent conduct.
“We, therefore, in the strongest terms, demand the immediate resignation or suspension of Chief Nnaji pending a full, transparent, and independent investigation into the certificate scandal. Anything short of this will be viewed as a deliberate attempt to protect corruption and to weaken the moral foundation of the anti-corruption war”, the statement added.
Without equivocation , the group said it will embark on a mass peaceful rally on Friday, October 10, 2025, to be held simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano.
COCOC stated that civil society organisations, students, market associations, youth groups, and concerned citizens will take to the streets to demand the resignation and prosecution of Nnaji .
The group pointed out that “This rally is not against the Federal Government but a patriotic demonstration of our collective resolve to ensure that no one, no matter how highly placed, is above the law. Public office is a sacred trust, and those who occupy such offices must be above reproach.
“We call on all anti-corruption agencies, especially the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to immediately commence a comprehensive investigation into the matter without fear or favour”.
Moreso, the coalition of civil organisations against corruption, reiterates that democracy and national progress cannot thrive in an atmosphere where deceit, forgery, and dishonesty are tolerated within the highest levels of government.
According to COCOC “Chief Nnaji must step aside now to save the integrity of the office he occupies and to demonstrate respect for the Nigerian people”.
Responding, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, accused Enugu State Governor, Mr Peter Mbah, as being behind the allegations of certificate forgery against him.
Nnaji’s spokesperson, Dr. Robert Ngwu, described the allegation as a politically motivated witch-hunt aimed at discrediting him ahead of the governor’s alleged plan to join the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Ngwu, who spoke in Abuja, yesterday, was quoted by the The Guardian as saying that “Mbah wants Nnaji out of his way. He has given a new name to all his problems. He is seeking a second term in office, and the only way to achieve this is to get Nnaji out of the way. He wants to join the APC, but knowing that Nnaji is there, he is not comfortable”.
The spokesman maintained that Nnaji graduated from UNN in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry, a fact reflected in the university’s official records and its 1985 convocation brochure.
He cited a letter issued by the university on December 21, 2023, during Nnaji’s ministerial screening, confirming that “Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, with registration number 1981/30725, was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and graduated in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science, Second Class (Honours) Lower Division”.
AljazirahNigeria reports that Nnaji’s ordeal began after Premium Times reported that Nnaji forged the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, certificate he submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly during his ministerial screening.
