Fresh controversy has emerged over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's educational qualifications after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published his nomination documents for the 2027 presidential election.
The documents released by INEC list Tinubu's Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Chicago State University, obtained in 1979, alongside his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate. However, the sections designated for his primary and secondary school qualifications were left blank, sparking renewed public debate.
INEC clarified that its responsibility is limited to publishing candidates' credentials for public scrutiny as required by law, adding that it does not verify the authenticity of certificates submitted by candidates. The commission said any dispute over the validity or adequacy of such documents is a matter for the courts.
The omission has drawn mixed reactions from legal experts and political parties.
Some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) argued that Nigerian law requires presidential candidates to possess at least a secondary school qualification or its equivalent, raising questions about the missing information. Others maintained that Tinubu's university degree is sufficient evidence of meeting constitutional educational requirements, insisting the omission carries no legal consequences.
Opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), accused the president of failing to provide full disclosure, urging the Presidency to explain why the primary and secondary school qualifications were omitted.
The Labour Party (LP), however, dismissed the concerns, noting that Tinubu's eligibility had already been extensively litigated after the 2023 presidential election, with both the Presidential Election Petition Court and the Supreme Court affirming his qualification.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, now the ADC's presidential candidate, also called on the Presidency to provide a clear explanation, arguing that transparency is essential for maintaining public confidence in the nation's highest office.
The Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had not responded to requests for comment as of the time the report was published.
The latest development has revived discussions surrounding the 2023 legal dispute over Tinubu's academic records. During that case, Chicago State University confirmed that Tinubu graduated from the institution in 1979, while the Supreme Court ultimately ruled that there was no evidence proving he submitted a forged certificate to INEC and upheld his election.
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