President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has listed only his university qualification in the educational section of his EC9 nomination form submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 presidential election, leaving the sections for his primary and secondary school qualifications blank.
The documents, published by INEC on Saturday in line with its revised timetable for the 2027 General Election, form part of the nomination papers submitted by presidential candidates contesting the January 16, 2027 election.
A review of Tinubu’s EC9 form shows that he declared a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Business Administration from Chicago State University, United States, obtained in 1979.
While he did not list his primary and secondary school qualifications on the form, he attached copies of his university degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate as supporting documents.
The President stated that he was born on March 29, 1952, in Lagos and described his occupation as a politician.
He also disclosed that he worked at Mobil Nigeria Limited from 1983 to 1992 before serving as Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.
He listed his current employer as the Federal Government of Nigeria, where he has served since 2023, and declared that he has never been dismissed from the public service.
In contrast, NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi submitted a detailed educational history, beginning with St. Augustine’s Primary School, Anambra, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1973.
He also listed Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, where he earned his West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1978, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1984.
Obi also attached his NYSC certificate, showing he completed national service between 1985 and 1986.
Obi described himself as a public servant and declared that he has never been dismissed from public service.
However, the section for previous work experience in his EC9 form was left blank.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also provided his educational qualifications, including his First School Leaving Certificate, West African School Certificate and a Master’s degree in International Relations obtained in 2020.
He stated that he served in the Nigerian Customs Service from 1969 to 1989 before becoming Nigeria’s Vice President between 1999 and 2007.
He also declared that he has never been dismissed from public service.
The publication of the candidates’ personal particulars marks the beginning of the statutory period for public scrutiny.
Under Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2026, any person who believes that information contained in a candidate’s affidavit or supporting documents is false may challenge it in court with credible evidence.
INEC had earlier fixed August 1, 2026, for the publication of the personal particulars and credentials of presidential candidates following the conclusion of party primaries and the submission of nomination forms.
Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to begin later this month ahead of the January 16, 2027 general election.
