Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has become the first sitting president in the world that has a university qualification without any disclosed primary and secondary school certificates in his officially submitted credentials, following the release of presidential candidates’ documents by the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the 2027 general election.
INEC released the personal particulars and credentials of 19 presidential candidates and their running mates, giving Nigerians the opportunity to examine the information submitted by those seeking to contest in the election.
However, findings by NN News Media from Tinubu’s published credentials showed that the sections for primary and secondary education were marked NIL, meaning no information or certificates were provided for those levels of education.
According to the documents submitted to INEC, Tinubu stated that he was born on March 29, 1952, and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University in 1979.
He also stated that he participated in the National Youth Service Corps programme between December 1982 and November 1983.
The publication has renewed attention on Tinubu’s educational history, which has faced public debate over the years, particularly regarding his Chicago State University credentials.
Chicago State University confirmed that Tinubu attended the institution but questions were previously raised over claims surrounding the certificate he presented, with the university disputing the issuance of certain documents attributed to it.
INEC’s publication of the candidates’ Form EC9 is based on Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the commission to display the personal particulars of candidates after receiving nomination forms.
The move allows members of the public and eligible individuals to scrutinise the information submitted by candidates before the commencement of campaigns.
According to the list released by INEC, Tinubu will contest under the platform of the All Progressives Congress with Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will contest under the African Democratic Congress and selected former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi will contest under the Nigeria Democratic Congress with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his vice-presidential candidate.
The documents released by INEC contain candidates’ educational qualifications, dates of birth, occupations and other personal details submitted ahead of the August 19 commencement of presidential campaigns.
The release has placed renewed focus on the academic backgrounds and qualifications of presidential candidates as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general election.
Full list of presidential candidates
- Bola Tinubu – All Progressives Congress (APC)
- Atiku Abubakar – African Democratic Congress (ADC)
- Peter Obi – Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)
- Senator Sandy Onor – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
- Omoyele Sowore – African Action Congress (AAC)
- Donald Duke – Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
- Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick – National Democratic Party (NDP)
- Chukwu Anita Zugwai – Young Progressives Party (YPP)
- Rufai Adekunle Omoaje – Action Alliance (AA)
- Adenuga Sunday – Boot Party
- Memeh Samuel – Democratic Liberty Alliance (DLA)
- Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu – Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
- Okereke Sunday Chibuzor – Labour Party (LP)
- Okereke Iken Esther – National Rescue Movement (NRM)
- Abbas-Bin Aliyu – Action Democratic Party (ADP)
- Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed – New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
- Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer – Social Democratic Party (SDP)
- Seyi Makinde – Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
- Yusuf Kabiru – Action Peoples Party (APP)
Vice-presidential candidates
- Kashim Shettima (APC)
- Rotimi Amaechi (ADC)
- Rabiu Kwankwaso (NDC)
- Shehu Hussaini (AA)
- Egbeola Olawale Mertins (YPP)
- Ike Chinazam (ADP)
- Mustapha Usman Turaki (Boot Party)
- Balogun Alex (DLA)
- Chikwuemeka Uchenna Anthony (NDP)
- Magashi Haruna Garba (AAC)
- Umaru Babangida (PDP)
- Konto Hajja Bintu (LP)
- Hassan Khalid (ZLP)
- Samuel Magdalene Gali (NRM)
- Abubakar Isah (NNPP)
- Buba Musa (PRP)
- Bugaje Usman Mohammed (SDP)
- Ibrahim Adamu Bala (APM)
- Ofordile Peace Egobia (APP)
