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When the scandal broke that the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, had allegedly forged academic certificates, the nation was stunned — not because Nigeria is unfamiliar with scandals, but because of the symbolic weight of the office he held. The ministry he headed is one meant to drive our nation’s technological vision, innovation policies, and scientific breakthroughs. To discover that the man at the helm may have falsified his own educational qualifications is both tragic and telling. It is a symptom of a deeper rot — a moral failure that mirrors our national malaise.
The question that troubles the mind of every patriotic Nigerian is: how could such a man, with allegedly forged documents, pass through the highest security and presidential vetting systems undetected? How could the machinery of state, with all its intelligence and bureaucracy, fail to flag such a fundamental fraud before it embarrassed the nation?
I am constrained to believe that the negligence that saw him through the cracks of our appointment and vetting process is the same negligence that fuels insecurity, sustains corruption, and impoverishes the masses. It is the same reason pre-bendalism — the reckless use of public office for personal enrichment — continues to ruin our socio-political and economic systems. The rot that permitted this scandal is the same rot that has left Nigeria hungry, angry, and divided.
But this moment, as shameful as it is, offers a unique opportunity for reflection and reform. Mr. President, the time has come to re-examine the trust level and judgment within your inner circle — the individuals and institutions that recommend, screen, and defend your appointees. Whoever vetted this particular minister knew the truth all along. They either ignored it or deliberately covered it up, perhaps in the hope of using it as leverage for future blackmail. When they could no longer hold him hostage, they leaked it to the press. What we see today is not a sudden exposure but a premeditated embarrassment — one rooted in deceit, greed, and betrayal.
Yes, the minister has resigned, but resignation should not end the conversation. Accountability must follow. This administration must send a strong message that the era of forgery, manipulation, and fraud in public appointments is over. There must be consequences for those who vet candidates carelessly, and for those who exploit the appointment process for selfish gain. Every appointee with falsified credentials should either quietly resign now or prepare for public disgrace. The Nigerian people have endured too many years of deception. Enough is enough.
This crisis must also inspire a new approach to leadership selection — one based not on party loyalty, gossip, or patronage, but on character, competence, and capacity. In this regard, there is a powerful example already within your government: His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Mr. President, history will record that in your cabinet, your best-performing appointee is ironically a member of another political party — the Peoples Democratic Party. Yet, his performance has been outstanding, his loyalty to the cause of national progress unquestionable, and his results visible to all Nigerians. You saw in him what many could not see — a man of vision, energy, and results. You were guided by the right spirit when you appointed him, ignoring political labels to prioritize national interest.
Today, the transformation of Abuja speaks for itself: new infrastructure, revived districts, environmental reforms, and an administrative energy that reminds Nigerians what governance should feel like. The appointment of Nyesom Wike stands as proof that greatness in leadership is not about where one comes from or which political logo he carries, but about his ability to deliver results, uphold discipline, and pursue a shared vision for the common good.
That same spirit of discernment and courage must now guide you again as you choose who will replace Uche Nnaji at the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology.
Your Excellency, I urge you — appoint Barrister Osita Chidoka.
Chidoka’s record speaks volumes. At the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), he transformed what was once a bureaucratic agency into a technology-driven institution. He introduced digital reforms that modernized vehicle registration, streamlined driver’s licensing, and built one of the most credible public databases in the country. Under his leadership, the FRSC became a model of innovation and integrity.
When he later served as Minister of Aviation, even within a short tenure, his administrative competence, technological foresight, and organizational skills were evident. He initiated reforms that improved airport safety, customer experience, and infrastructural transparency. In both public and private service, Osita Chidoka has demonstrated a consistent pattern — he thinks in systems, works with vision, and delivers with integrity.
He represents exactly the kind of leadership Nigeria needs in the innovation and technology sector — an intellectual with practical experience, a strategist with patriotic passion, and a technocrat with a deep understanding of governance.
This ministry, by its nature, should not be led by people who see it as a political reward. It should be led by someone who understands how to use technology to drive economic growth, industrial research, and digital transformation. Nigeria’s future rests on innovation — clean energy, digital governance, artificial intelligence, and youth-driven technology startups. To unlock that future, we need a leader who knows both policy and practice, both vision and execution.
That leader, in my conviction, is Barrister Osita Chidoka.
Your Excellency, this appointment is more than a personnel decision — it is a statement of intent. It will define whether your administration truly intends to build strong institutions led by credible people, or whether we will continue recycling loyalists without vision. Nigerians are watching. The international community is observing. This moment demands not politics, but statesmanship.
Mr. President, do not let whisperers, gossips, and opportunists around you cloud your judgment. Leadership is not about affection; it is about hard decisions made for the collective good. Many will try to convince you to reward loyalty over competence, but history never remembers the noise of sycophants — it remembers the wisdom of those who stood firm for what is right.
Your presidency is not a romance; it is a stewardship. It is about building systems that will outlive you — systems that will be referenced for centuries. You have a rare opportunity to turn this scandal into a turning point for national renewal. Make it clear to all appointees that deceit and forgery have no place in your administration. Let them know that merit and integrity are the new order.
And as you do so, seize this chance to appoint someone whose example will inspire the next generation of Nigerians — someone who embodies excellence, honesty, and innovation. If you want to print your name in the golden chapters of history, make this bold and surprising decision.
Appoint Osita Chidoka. Let him build upon the foundation of innovation, science, and technology to reposition Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital and industrial future. Guided by the same wisdom that led you to select Nyesom Wike, trust again in the spirit of merit over politics.
The ball is in your court, Mr. President. Choose for the nation. Choose for posterity. Choose for glory.
Beyond Forged Credentials: A Call for Integrity, Competence, and Courage in Leadership – By Aguiyi Joseph Obinna
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