A disagreement broke out between members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) during a live appearance on Channels Television on Monday, August 3, over President Bola Tinubu’s educational credentials and the constitutional requirements for contesting elective office.
The debate followed the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) publication of the personal particulars and academic credentials submitted by presidential candidates for the 2027 general election.
According to copies of President Tinubu’s Form EC9, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University in the United States. His academic transcript indicates that the degree was awarded with honours on June 22, 1979.
The form also included his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, showing that he served in Oyo State from December 1982 and completed the programme in November 1983.
However, information relating to his primary and secondary school education was not displayed, prompting renewed public debate.
Speaking during the programme, ADC chieftain Kalu Kalu challenged President Tinubu to publicly state the primary and secondary schools he attended.
Responding, APC member Alwan Hassan argued that the Nigerian Constitution does not specifically require a candidate to present evidence of primary or secondary school attendance but rather a school certificate or its equivalent.
According to Hassan, the constitutional equivalent of a school certificate includes the ability to read and write, adding that this satisfies the minimum educational qualification required to contest for public office.
The exchange highlighted the continuing political controversy surrounding President Tinubu’s educational records following INEC’s publication of candidates’ credentials ahead of the 2027 elections.
A video of the heated discussion has since circulated on social media.