Nnaji’s Resignation: NGO Faults Senate, DSS Over Ministerial Screening Failures

 

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The National Assembly and the Directorate of State Services (DSS) have come under sharp criticism following what has been described as “catastrophic failures” in the vetting of ministerial nominees.

This follows the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, over allegations of certificate forgery.

In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, governance advocacy group HallowMace Foundation Africa said the scandal exposes deep institutional negligence and raises serious questions about the credibility of Nigeria’s screening processes.

“The fact that both the National Assembly and the DSS, with their extensive resources, failed to detect discrepancies in Nnaji’s credentials from a local institution like the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is alarming,” the group noted.

“If our premier institutions cannot authenticate a certificate issued in Nigeria, what confidence can citizens have in their ability to scrutinize appointees for sensitive national positions?”

According to the NGO’s Executive Director, Anderson Osiebe, red flags around Nnaji’s qualifications had surfaced long before his resignation:

***July 2023 – Allegations of certificate irregularities first emerged.

*** August 2023 – Despite the controversy, the Senate screened and confirmed Nnaji.

*** May 2025 – The University of Nigeria officially disowned the certificate.

*** October 2025 – Internal records further revealed Nnaji had failed a core virology course — evidence that basic checks would have uncovered.

The group described the oversight as “inexplicable,” stressing that the Federal Ministry of Education has established clear procedures for verifying academic credentials directly with institutions.

“That investigative journalists could obtain definitive confirmation from UNN while state institutions failed to do so suggests either incompetence or wilful negligence,” the foundation stated.

Beyond governance lapses, HallowMace Foundation warned that repeated forgery scandals damage Nigeria’s international image. It cited studies estimating that the country loses over $2 billion annually due to stereotype-driven discrimination.

“Every forgery scandal at the highest level reinforces negative perceptions about Nigeria’s institutions, undermining opportunities for professionals and businesses abroad,” the statement added.

Key Demands:
The organization outlined four urgent steps:

1. Full disclosure of the Senate’s screening report on Nnaji.

2. Detailed explanation from the DSS on verification procedures.

3. Reform of the screening process, including:

* Direct institutional verification.
* Scrapping of the “bow and go” practice.
* Portfolio-specific assessments for nominees.

4. Public apologies from the leadership of both institutions, alongside clear corrective measures.

“The Nigerian people deserve transparent, accountable institutions that serve as effective gatekeepers against unqualified individuals in high office.” the group concluded.