…Obi, Atiku Disclose Full Academic Records
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has listed only his university degree in the educational qualifications section of the nomination form he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 presidential election, leaving the spaces for his primary and secondary school qualifications blank.
The disclosure is contained in the personal particulars and supporting documents released by INEC on Saturday as part of the statutory process for public scrutiny of candidates seeking to contest the 16 January 2027 presidential election.
A review of Tinubu’s EC9 nomination form shows that he listed a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, United States, obtained in 1979.
The President, however, attached copies of his university degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate to his nomination documents.
Tinubu, who was born on 29 March 1952 in Lagos, listed his occupation as “Politician.”
He stated that he worked at Mobil Nigeria Limited from 1983 to 1992 before serving as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.
For his current employment, he listed the Federal Government of Nigeria, from 2023 to date. He also declared that he had never been dismissed from the public service.
The publication of the documents draws renewed attention to the educational records of the leading contenders for the 2027 presidency, with former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar providing more extensive academic details in their nomination papers.
Obi, who described his occupation as “public servant”, listed his educational history from primary school to university.
Born on 19 July 1961 in Onitsha, Anambra State, Obi stated that he attended St Augustine’s Primary School in Anambra, completing his primary education in 1973.
He proceeded to Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, where he obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1978.
He further listed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, obtained in 1984.
The university certificate attached to his nomination documents indicates that he graduated with Second Class Honours (Lower Division).
Obi also submitted his NYSC certificate, showing that he completed the mandatory national service between May 1985 and March 1986.
However, unlike Tinubu and Atiku, Obi left the section on previous employment blank. He nevertheless declared that he had never been dismissed from the public service.
Atiku, 79, also provided details of his educational background and employment history.
Born on 25 November 1946, in Jada, Adamawa State, the former Vice-President listed his occupation as “Businessman”.
His educational records include a First School Leaving Certificate obtained in 1954, a West African School Certificate obtained in 1961 and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations, which he stated he obtained in 2020.
Atiku said he worked with the Nigerian Customs Service from 1969 to 1989, leaving through voluntary retirement.
He also listed the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as his place of employment from 1999 to 2007, which corresponds to his two terms as Vice-President.
Like Tinubu and Obi, Atiku declared that he had never been dismissed from the public service.
INEC had scheduled 1 August for the publication of the personal particulars of presidential and National Assembly candidates.
The commission’s current timetable lists 16 January 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for 6 February 2027.
The presidential and National Assembly campaigns are scheduled to begin on 19 August, according to the electoral timetable.
INEC also published the nomination documents of vice-presidential candidates alongside those of the presidential candidates.
The release gives voters, political parties, civil society organisations and other interested parties an opportunity to examine the information supplied by candidates as the 2027 presidential contest moves into a more intense phase.
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