ALAUSA INSISTS TINUBU GRADUATED WITH FIRST-CLASS DEGREE FROM CHICAGO STATE

Read Time:3 Minute, 1 Second

By ‘Balogun Ibrahim

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s academic qualifications, insisting that the President graduated with a first-class degree in Accounting from Chicago State University in the United States.

Alausa said he was familiar with the institution, having lived in Chicago for nearly 30 years. He also claimed to have personally met several individuals who attended the university alongside Tinubu.

The minister made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday while responding to questions about the President’s educational background.

“I’m telling you hardcore facts. I lived in Chicago for almost 30 years. I’ve been to that university so many times,” he said.

READ MORE…

POLICE RESCUE NEWBORN BABY ABANDONED IN NYLON BAG IN ABUJA

When asked whether he had met any of Tinubu’s classmates, Alausa responded, “Oh, many, many, many, in person. Many. So forget the nonsense of…”

Asked specifically whether Tinubu graduated with a first-class degree from the institution, the minister replied, “In accounting, of course.”

Alausa also described the President as a genius, dismissing concerns about his intellectual capacity.

“Oh, he’s a genius. Let’s not talk about the capability of this President. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is literally a genius,” he said.

The minister further defended Tinubu’s administration, claiming that the President had transformed Nigeria from a moribund country into an economy experiencing growth.

“Look at how he’s transformed a moribund country three years ago to a country that is growing,” Alausa stated.

However, when the interviewer questioned the description by highlighting the country’s out-of-school children and poverty levels, the minister insisted on focusing the discussion on the President’s achievements.

“Let me focus on what you’re saying. I don’t want you to derail this conversation. But this President has delivered this for Nigeria,” he added.

Tinubu’s academic qualifications have remained a subject of public debate, particularly following controversies surrounding his Chicago State University records during the 2023 presidential election petition.

The issue resurfaced in August 2026 after the Independent National Electoral Commission began displaying the personal particulars and academic credentials submitted by presidential candidates for the 2027 general elections.

Tinubu’s Form EC9, obtained by PUNCH, listed a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, awarded with honours on June 22, 1979.

The document also contained his National Youth Service Corps discharge details, indicating that he served in Oyo State between December 1982 and November 1983.

However, the sections provided for his primary and secondary school qualifications were marked “0000”, while only his university qualification appeared in the educational history published by INEC.

The disclosure reignited questions about the President’s educational background, with politicians and commentators expressing varying opinions over the omissions.

Chicago State University had previously confirmed that Tinubu attended the institution and graduated in 1979, with Accounting as his major.

In September 2023, the university released his academic records following a legal request by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who sought the documents as part of his challenge to Tinubu’s election victory.

The university’s registrar, Caleb Westberg, also testified before a United States court, confirming that Tinubu attended and graduated from the institution.

However, the university’s records confirm his Accounting major and graduation but do not specify that he obtained a first-class classification. The first-class claim was made by Alausa during Tuesday’s interview.

Similarly, a BBC fact-check published in October 2023 found no evidence that Tinubu forged the Chicago State University diploma he submitted to INEC.