A former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has said his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet was as a decision to protect his integrity and prevent distractions to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He had resigned from his post on Tuesday, amid controversies surrounding academic records and allegations of certificate forgery.

Nnaji, whose resignation was confirmed by the Presidency on Tuesday, said in a statement on Tuesday that he stepped down after “deep reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians.”

According to him, his exit followed “an orchestrated, sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated, and malicious attacks” targeted at his person and office over the past week.

“These unfounded allegations and media distortions have not only caused personal distress but have also begun to distract from the vital work of the ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President,” he said.

Nnaji maintained that his decision to quit was not an admission of guilt, but a move to uphold due process and respect ongoing judicial proceedings.

“My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice — not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court. In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just,” he stated.