Release My Academic Records To Public – Peter Obi Tells UNN, Others

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, and other institutions he attended to make his academic records public.

Obi made the call in a video obtained on Tuesday, amid a legal dispute over the alleged refusal of the university to release documents relating to his academic records.

He urged UNN to publish his admission documents, academic results from his first year through graduation and other records contained in his file.

The former Anambra State governor also extended the request to international institutions where he undertook programmes, including Lagos Business School, London School of Economics, Columbia Business School, Kellogg School of Management, Harvard Business School, Oxford and Cambridge.

Obi said the records should be made available for public scrutiny, arguing that people seeking public office should be prepared to have their backgrounds thoroughly examined.

He said, “I was informed that somebody wants to know about my certificate here at University of Nigeria Nsukka. He wants to know how I got admission.

“I’m actually going to tweet to say, please, I’m begging University of Nigeria Nsukka to make available every document that is in my file, or how I was admitted in the university, all my results from year one to final year.”

Obi said public figures must be willing to subject themselves to scrutiny and demonstrate the standards expected of leaders.

“If you will seek a public life, you should subject yourself to public scrutiny because you’re a leader. You must exemplify the values that make the society work, especially for the younger ones,” he said.

The NDC candidate also challenged anyone with information about his records in Nigeria or abroad to make such information public.

“If I have an FBI file which I’m not aware of, or files in another country, this is time for them to bring it to the public,” he added.

Asked whether other presidential candidates should also make their records public, Obi responded in the affirmative.

He said such scrutiny would give candidates the opportunity to explain any wrongdoing in their past and demonstrate that they had changed.

“Yes, because we want to know if there’s any place that I’ve done wrong, I’ll be the one to come and explain to people: I did this wrong yesterday, but I’ve changed.

“I committed this offence, but I’ve changed. Or if I’ve gone to jail and served my time, please forgive me,” Obi said.

Obi’s comments came days after a suspended Labour Party member, Abayomi Arabambi, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja over UNN’s alleged refusal to release the presidential candidate’s academic records.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026, was filed on September 9 by Arabambi’s lawyer, Anderson Asemota.

The Vice-Chancellor of UNN and the university were listed as the first and second respondents.

Arabambi is asking the court to compel the institution to provide certified copies of documents relating to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy allegedly awarded to Gregory Peter Onwubuasi Obi in 1984.

According to the originating motion and supporting affidavit, Arabambi requested on July 16 a Certified True Copy of Certificate Number D000198, said to have been issued in respect of Obi.

He also sought copies of the academic records and other official documents on which the alleged degree and certificate were based.

The applicant said the request was made under the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and received by the respondents on August 6.

He alleged that UNN failed to provide the documents within the period prescribed by the law and did not issue a written notice of refusal stating the specific provision of the Act relied upon to deny access.

Arabambi subsequently sent a reminder on August 31, which was reportedly received on September 1.

He is seeking 19 reliefs, including an order of mandamus compelling the respondents to respond to his Freedom of Information request in accordance with the law.

He is also asking the court to compel UNN to provide a Certified True Copy of Certificate Number D000198, if the certificate exists in its custody, possession or control.

Other documents sought include academic records, graduation and degree-award records, certificate-register entries, Senate or academic approval records and other official documents relating to the alleged degree.