Why Uche Nnaji’s Ministerial Nomination Was Confirmed By Senate — Ndume Reveals
By Abiola Olawale
Senator Ali Ndume, the lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District of Borno State at the Senate has clarified the Nigerian Senate’s mandate in vetting presidential nominees.
The lawmaker made this clarification after the resignation of Uche Nnaji as the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, over alleged certificate forgery.
Recall that the controversy erupted earlier this week following a damning report that exposed alleged forgeries in Nnaji’s academic credentials, including his University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) bachelor’s degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.
Nominated by President Bola Tinubu in July 2023 and confirmed by the Senate, Nnaji resigned on October 7 after mounting scrutiny.
Speaking during an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today program, the Borno South lawmaker emphasized that the upper chamber’s role is strictly confirmatory.
According to him, background checks—including certificate verification—are done by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Ndume asserted: “We are not screening — get this clear.
“Screening and confirmation are two different things. Before the president sends a candidate to the Senate, several processes are involved, including checks by the SSS. The SSS has to clear the person first.
“This issue of forgery is a big problem in Nigeria.
“It’s not just among politicians. Even you (Seun Okinbaloye, the anchor), I don’t know your certificates. Everyone has classmates, including Nnaji.
“Last time, the DSS brought a report against someone and we rejected the person.
“So don’t say we are not doing our job. We don’t do screening — we only confirm.”
