By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Following the resignation of the Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery, Nigerians have called for his prosecution and an investigation into lapses in the country’s security vetting system.
The development came after an investigative report by Premium Times alleged that Nnaji submitted forged academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) documents during his ministerial screening. The report has since stirred widespread outrage and renewed calls for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public service.
Comrade Amos Ojajuni commended Premium Times for what he described as “a demonstration of real journalism,” comparing the exposé to the 2018 scandal that led to the resignation of former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun.
“Premium Times has twice shown the quiet force of real journalism. Their investigation exposed Kemi Adeosun’s questionable NYSC exemption certificate and led to her resignation. Years later, they did the same with Uche Nnaji,” he said.
Ojajuni, however, questioned the integrity of the Department of State Services (DSS) in verifying credentials of ministerial nominees.
“Did the DSS actually verify with the institutions, or was this a surface-level check dressed up as due diligence? Or worse, did political influence interfere with what should have been a straightforward exercise in accountability?” he queried.
Similarly, Oloye Salami Oluwaseun described the incident as “politically influenced,” but insisted that Nnaji must face the consequences of his actions.
“The ex-minister may have fault, but the truth is that the incident sounded politically motivated,” he noted.
Also reacting, Omoba Rasheed Awofeso, President of the Community and Child Protection Network, faulted the institutions responsible for screening and verification, calling for a forensic audit across all government levels.
“All individuals and committees saddled with verification responsibilities must be queried for their negligence. More qualified candidates are available, while people with fake résumés are living large on our common resources. This must stop,” Awofeso said.
Ojajuni further urged that the security agencies involved in the ministerial screening process be sanctioned for what he termed “unprofessional conduct.”
“They must be sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to others,” he added.
Meanwhile, several civil society organisations (CSOs) have begun pushing for the prosecution of the former minister, insisting that such action would set a strong precedent against certificate forgery and corruption in Nigeria’s public sector.
As the controversy continues to generate nationwide reactions, many observers say the scandal is another crucial test of Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing accountability among its political elites.