The academic records and personal particulars of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have been thrown open for public scrutiny as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) begins the mandatory display of documents submitted by presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The exercise, which commenced on Saturday, is part of INEC’s statutory obligation under the Electoral Act, 2026, allowing Nigerians to inspect candidates’ nomination documents and raise objections where necessary.
Documents displayed for Tinubu showed his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, United States, with his transcript indicating that the degree was awarded “with honours” on June 22, 1979.
His Form EC9 also contained his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) records, showing that he served in Oyo State from December 1982 to November 1983.
The President’s employment history listed Mobil Nigeria Limited, where he worked from 1983 to 1992; the Lagos State Government, where he served as governor from 1999 to 2007; and the Federal Government of Nigeria, where he has served since 2023.
The documents also recorded Tinubu’s date of birth as March 29, 1952, his birthplace as Lagos, his residential address as No. 4, Queen’s Drive, Ikoyi, and his occupation as “politician.”
For Vice President Shettima, INEC’s displayed documents traced his educational journey from primary school to university.
His records showed that he attended Lamisula I Primary School between 1972 and 1978, finishing second out of 22 pupils in his final year.
His West African Examinations Council (WAEC) result from Government Secondary School, Potiskum, in June 1983, showed six credits and passes, including distinctions in Religious Knowledge and Economics.
Shettima later graduated from the University of Maiduguri with a Second Class Upper Division degree in Agriculture in August 1989 before obtaining a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.
His NYSC certificate indicated that he served from October 1989 to October 1990.
Explaining the exercise, INEC said Form EC9 contains candidates’ credentials, personal information and affidavits submitted by political parties.
“Form EC9 contains the credentials, personal particulars and affidavits submitted by candidates sponsored by political parties,” INEC stated.
The electoral body displayed the documents at its offices nationwide, including state and local government offices in relevant constituencies.
Under the Electoral Act, members of the public are permitted to request certified true copies of candidates’ nomination documents and seek legal action over allegations of false declarations or forgery.
This comes ahead of the commencement of campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for August 19, as political parties prepare for the 2027 polls.
