October 8, 2025
The HallowMace Foundation Africa, a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting accountability, good governance, and transparency in public service, writes to express profound concern regarding the recent resignation of Hon. Geoffrey Uche Nnaji as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology over allegations of certificate forgery. This development has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the screening processes conducted by the National Assembly and the Directorate of State Security Services (DSS).
1.1 Specifically, we seek clarification on why these reputable institutions failed to detect the alleged forgery before his confirmation and assumption of office. If the National Assembly and DSS, with their extensive resources and mandate, could not authenticate a certificate from a Nigerian institution, what confidence can citizens have in their ability to vet appointees for critical national positions?
*1.0 Evidence Of Screening Failures And Institutional Lapses*
The sequence of events in Minister Nnaji’s case reveals catastrophic failures in the verification systems designed to prevent such occurrences:
*Timeline Of Screening Failures In The Uche Nnaji Case*
*Date: July 2023*
*Event:* Initial allegations emerged regarding Nnaji’s credentials
*Screening Implications:* Early warnings were apparently ignored during preliminary screening
*Date: August 2023*
*Event:* Nnaji presented credentials to Senate during screening
*Secrening Implications:*
Senate failed to identify inconsistencies in documents
*Date: May 2025*
*Event:* UNN officially disowned Nnaji’s certificate
*Secrening Implications:* Revelation came nearly two years after Senate confirmation
*Date:* October 2025
*Event:* Internal UNN records showed Nnaji failed a virology course
*Secrening Implications:* Basic verification with the university would have uncovered this
1.2 The failure becomes even more alarming when considering that the university in question University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), is within Nigeria and should have been easily accessible for verification .
According to the timeline of events, UNN had clearly stated in May 2025 that they had no record of issuing a degree certificate to Nnaji in 1985, and this position was reaffirmed in October 2025 . Why wasn’t this basic verification conducted during the screening process in 2023?
*2.0 The Fundamental Neglect Of Local Institutional Verification*
2.1 Nigeria has established procedures for document authentication through the Federal Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs . The Ministry of Education has direct channels to contact educational institutions for verification purposes, making the failure to utilize these systems inexplicable. The fact that media investigators could obtain definitive information from UNN while our premier security agency and legislative screening committee could not suggests either institutional incompetence or wilful negligence.
2.2 This incident reflects a broader pattern of deficient screening processes for ministerial and other high-level appointments. Analysis of previous ministerial screenings reveals systemic problems, including the absence of portfolio-specific assessments and the controversial “bow and go” practice that exempts former legislators from rigorous questioning . When the Senate screens nominees without knowing their intended portfolios, how can they possibly assess their specific competencies and qualifications?
*3.0 The Damaging Impact On Nigeria’s Global Reputation*
3.1 Beyond domestic governance concerns, such certificate scandals profoundly damage Nigeria’s international reputation. As noted in recent studies, Nigeria already suffers from negative stereotypes that cost the nation an estimated $2.1 billion annually in economic losses due to stereotype-based discrimination . When high-ranking officials are embroiled in credential forgery scandals, it reinforces harmful global perceptions and validates international skepticism about Nigeria’s institutions.
3.2 This case adds to a troubling pattern of behavior that has seen Nigeria classified poorly in international assessments and subjected to restrictive visa regimes and financial precautions . Each such incident diminishes opportunities for legitimate Nigerian professionals and businesses abroad and undermines the country’s soft power assets, including its thriving tech ecosystem and cultural exports.
*4.0 Conclusions And Demands For Accountability*
In light of these grave concerns, the HallowMace Foundation Africa demands the following clarifications and actions:
*1. Full Disclosure:* The National Assembly should immediately make public the complete screening report on Hon. Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, including all documents reviewed and verification steps taken.
*2. Institutional Explanation:* The DSS should explain specifically what credential verification procedures were undertaken regarding Minister Nnaji’s academic qualifications and why these procedures failed to detect what media investigators later uncovered.
*3. Process Reform:* The National Assembly should undertake comprehensive reforms of the screening process, including:
* Mandatory direct verification of all academic credentials with issuing institutions
* Elimination of the “bow and go” practice for any nominee
* Requirement that nominees be screened for specific portfolios
* Establishment of an independent technical verification unit
*4. Public Accountability:* The leadership of both screening institutions should issue public apologies to the Nigerian people for this grave failure of due diligence and outline concrete steps being taken to prevent recurrences.
We trust that you will treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and positively take urgent actions within reasonable time from the date of this publication.
The Nigerian public deserves transparent, accountable institutions that serve as effective gatekeepers against unqualified individuals occupying high public office.
The HallowMace Foundation Africa remains committed to working with all stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s governance frameworks and restore public confidence in our institutions.
*Yours in faithful service to our nation,*
Amb. Anderson Osiebe
*Executive Director*
HallowMace Foundation Africa
Amb. Oguh Hyginus John
*Head, Public Communications Desk*
HallowMace Foundation Africa.
