INEC Displays Tinubu, Shettima’s Credentials for Public Scrutiny

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the statutory public display of the academic credentials and personal particulars submitted by President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2027 general election, inviting Nigerians to scrutinise the documents.

The electoral body on Saturday, said the exercise, which began on Saturday, is in compliance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, requiring the commission to publish candidates’ nomination forms and supporting documents within 21 days of receiving them.

According to INEC, Form EC9 contains the academic credentials, personal details and affidavits submitted by candidates nominated by political parties for elective offices.

Documents displayed at INEC offices nationwide show that Tinubu earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with honours from Chicago State University in the United States on June 22, 1979.

The records also indicate that the president completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Oyo State between December 1982 and November 1983.

His employment history lists Mobil Nigeria Limited, where he worked from 1983 to 1992 before leaving for career advancement, the Lagos State government, where he served as governor from 1999 to 2007, and the federal government of Nigeria, where he has served as president since 2023.

Tinubu’s form records his date of birth as March 29, 1952, identifies Lagos as his place of birth, lists his residential address as No. 4 Queen’s Drive, Ikoyi, and describes his occupation as a politician.

Entries for his primary and secondary education were marked “0000,” while only his university qualification carried a specific graduation year.

Shettima’s documents, however, provide a full educational history beginning from primary school. They show he attended Lamisula I Primary School between 1972 and 1978, where he graduated second in a class of 22 pupils.

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His strongest subjects included English, History and Religious Knowledge.

His West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate from Government Secondary School, Potiskum, obtained in June 1983, shows he earned six credits and passes, including distinctions in Religious Knowledge and Economics.

The vice president later obtained a Second Class Upper Division degree in Agriculture from the University of Maiduguri in August 1989 before earning a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.

His NYSC records indicate he served between October 1989 and October 1990.

INEC also reminded Nigerians that any member of the public may apply for certified true copies of candidates’ nomination forms and supporting documents and can seek legal redress where there are allegations of false declaration or forgery.

The commission further disclosed that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will officially commence on August 19, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections will begin at a later date in line with the approved election timetable.