A disagreement broke out between members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) during a Channels Television programme on Monday night over President Bola Tinubu’s educational credentials and the constitutional requirements for qualification for the office of president.
The debate comes days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commenced the public display of the personal particulars and academic credentials of presidential candidates for the 2027 general election.
Documents contained in President Tinubu’s Form EC9 show that he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, United States, which, according to his academic transcript, was awarded with honours on June 22, 1979. The submission also included his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, indicating that he served in Oyo State from December 1982 and was demobilised in November 1983.
However, details of the President’s primary and secondary school education were not included among the documents displayed by INEC, a development that has sparked fresh public debate.
In an interview on Channels Television monitored by The News Chronicle, ADC chieftain Kalu Kalu challenged President Tinubu to disclose the primary and secondary schools he attended, arguing that Nigerians deserve clarity on his educational background.
Responding, APC chieftain Alwan Hassan maintained that the Constitution does not require a presidential candidate to present primary or secondary school certificates. He argued that Section 131(d) of the 1999 Constitution stipulates that a candidate must possess a School Certificate or its equivalent, adding that the Constitution recognises the ability to read and write as part of what qualifies as an equivalent.
The exchange reflects the renewed political contest over candidates’ educational qualifications and constitutional eligibility as preparations for the 2027 presidential election gather momentum.
