The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology has issued a strong rebuttal to a recent publication by ThisDay Newspaper, which labelled the Minister, Chief Uche Nnaji, as a “sleeping minister.”

In a statement signed by Dr Robert Ngwu, Senior Special Adviser (Administration) to the Minister, the Ministry described the article as “pure character assassination and mudslinging,” and rejected the claims as factually inaccurate and politically motivated.

The publication, titled Honest Assessment of Tinubu’s Ministers and authored by Chima Obinna, was criticised for misrepresenting the performance of one of the “most productive ministries” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

According to the Ministry, Chief Nnaji has overseen a string of landmark initiatives across innovation, healthcare, energy, and space technology that position Nigeria as a leader in science and technology on the African continent.

Among the listed achievements is the successful negotiation of a €7.9 billion foreign direct investment for Project Green—Africa’s largest green methanol and hydrogen complex. Other highlights include the establishment of the continent’s first insulin manufacturing facility in Nigeria and the launch of Nigeria’s first AI-powered hospital monitoring system.

The Ministry also pointed to the training of more than 25,000 Nigerians annually under Project NOVA, a move aimed at transforming the country into a global outsourcing hub. The Sustainable Energy Access Programme (SEAP) has been rolled out across all 774 local government areas, delivering hybrid energy and clean cooking solutions to underserved communities.

Chief Nnaji’s leadership, the Ministry said, has also been instrumental in securing presidential approvals for four new satellites—NigeriaSat-3, 4, 5, and NigeriaSAR-1—marking the country’s most ambitious satellite programme to date. These satellites are expected to strengthen national security, agricultural monitoring, and broadband infrastructure.

Significant energy sector developments include the Renewed Hope Solarisation Project, which is currently deploying 2MW solar hybrid systems across 37 federal universities and 37 teaching hospitals nationwide. The Ministry has also championed the launch of the National Energy Policy and Master Plan, and localised solar panel production through a 10MW assembly plant in Enugu.

In terms of sustainable innovation, the Ministry has developed a patented hexagonal charcoal stove for cleaner domestic cooking, commissioned a modular refinery in Bauchi to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, and introduced new energy efficiency benchmarks for air conditioners in collaboration with UNEP and SON.

Human capital development is also being addressed through initiatives like the Barefoot Renewable Energy College in Kogi and the Youth Space Skills Programme, which equips Nigerian youth with space technology expertise.

The Ministry further cited a long list of industrial and scientific milestones under Nnaji’s stewardship, including the local production of soap noodles, plaster of Paris (POP), and artemisinin (a key anti-malarial drug ingredient), as well as the establishment of onion powder processing and leather glazing facilities.

Additional projects include the AGORA programme with UNDP and UNEP to phase out outdated cooling appliances, a biomass cookstove initiative at the University of Nigeria, and the successful execution of the UNIDO-led Global Cleantech Innovation Programme, which placed Nigeria among Africa’s top innovation hubs.

In closing, the Ministry described the ThisDay article as a “politically tainted assessment” and urged the press to report based on verifiable achievements rather than bias.

“Chief Nnaji remains fully committed to delivering on President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—driving innovation-led growth, job creation, digital transformation, and sustainable development across the country,” the statement said.

It called on the media to practise responsible journalism that informs rather than divides, and reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to continue pursuing bold and transformative policies for national development.