Hon. Minister chief Uche Nnaji Faces Fire Over Alleged Non-Performance In Science, Technology Sector Amid Defection Plan
The political climate in Enugu and indeed across Nigeria’s national space has once again been thrown into heated debate, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, comes under intense scrutiny. Allegations of poor performance, lack of tangible results, and a looming defection plot are currently dominating conversations surrounding the minister.
According to Chukwuka Eneh, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Nnaji has allegedly embarked on secret political moves aimed at abandoning the All Progressives Congress (APC) for another political platform ahead of the 2027 elections. The allegation has sparked widespread criticism, not only over his political loyalty but also about his seeming inability to deliver concrete results in his ministerial assignment.
Chukwuka Eneh alleged that Minister Nnaji recently held a discreet meeting with opposition figures in Akpugo, his hometown, during the burial of Nigerian football legend, Christian Chukwu, in Enugu State. According to him, this meeting lends credence to speculations that Nnaji is plotting to dump the APC despite still holding a key ministerial office in President Tinubu’s cabinet.
For Eneh, this development is not only a political betrayal but also a reflection of desperation. He argued that instead of focusing on his responsibilities to Nigeria in the crucial science and technology sector, Nnaji appears more fixated on building a personal political empire ahead of 2027.
“For a man still occupying a ministerial seat in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, this defection signals not just frustration but outright despair,” Eneh stressed.
Since assuming office, Uche Nnaji has frequently touted his ministry’s achievements through a series of press releases. His aides often point to initiatives such as:
- Securing billions of naira in foreign investments,
- Launching ambitious satellite projects,
- Promising artificial intelligence–driven hospitals, and
- Training thousands of Nigerian youths in digital innovation and emerging technologies.
On paper, these sound impressive. But for many Nigerians, they remain mere rhetoric—grand statements that rarely translate into real, measurable progress on the ground.
Critics argue that beyond glossy headlines and media hype, there is little citizens can actually point to as visible transformation under Nnaji’s leadership. This perceived “noise without substance” has further fueled questions about his credibility and commitment to his ministerial role.
Eneh was quick to draw comparisons between Nnaji and the late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Nnaji’s predecessor in the ministry. The difference, he argued, is stark.
During Onu’s tenure, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation was associated with concrete programmes and policies, including:
- The Made in Nigeria policy, which boosted local content and encouraged patronage of homegrown products,
- The promotion of methanol fuel technology, aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports,
- Concrete steps toward local vaccine production, a critical initiative during and after the COVID-19 pandemic,
- The launch of Techexpo, an annual exhibition that created a verifiable platform for innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs to showcase inventions and link up with potential investors.
These were initiatives Nigerians could see, evaluate, and measure. In contrast, Nnaji’s record, according to Eneh, is dominated by “hollow boasts” without visible results.
Nnaji’s political trajectory has also been a subject of criticism. His 2023 governorship ambition in Enugu State under the APC ended in what many described as a “humiliating defeat.” Eneh argued that the minister lacks the electoral base and charisma required to mobilize grassroots support.
According to him, Nnaji’s only leverage remains his ministerial position, which he allegedly owes not to his political popularity but to the influence of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who reportedly recommended him for the slot in Tinubu’s cabinet as a form of compensation for his modest contribution during the 2023 presidential election.
“Uche Nnaji’s saga is a case study in political incompetence,” Eneh concluded, describing the minister as a politician whose career is built more on opportunism than substance.
The allegations against Uche Nnaji highlight deeper issues within Nigeria’s political and governance space. The science and technology ministry is one of the most critical sectors for Nigeria’s future, especially in an era where nations are competing on innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. Yet, under Nnaji’s watch, critics argue that the ministry risks becoming more of a propaganda outfit than a driver of innovation.
If indeed the allegations of a looming defection are true, this could present both political and governance implications. For President Tinubu, it raises questions about loyalty within his cabinet. For Nigerians, it brings to light the disturbing trend of ministers prioritizing political survival over their national duties.
Chief Uche Nnaji is currently walking a tight political rope. On one hand, he faces mounting criticism for alleged underperformance in a ministry that should be central to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda. On the other, he is dogged by accusations of secret political deals that could see him abandon the very party that gave him national prominence.
Whether these allegations
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