Fresh documents published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have elicited public debate after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu omitted details of his primary and secondary school education from the educational qualifications section of his EC9 nomination form for the 2027 presidential election.
The documents, published by INEC on Saturday as part of the nomination papers submitted by presidential and vice-presidential candidates, were released in line with the Commission’s timetable for the 2027 general election, which requires candidates’ personal particulars to be displayed for public scrutiny and possible objections as provided under the Electoral Act.
In the educational qualifications section of his EC9 form, Tinubu listed only a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Business Administration from Chicago State University, United States, leaving the spaces designated for primary and secondary school qualifications blank.
However, the President attached supporting documents to his nomination papers, including copies of his Chicago State University degree certificate and his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
According to the form, Tinubu stated that he was born on March 29, 1952, in Lagos and described his occupation as “Politician.”
The President’s nomination documents also outline his employment history.
Tinubu stated that he worked at Mobil Nigeria Limited from 1983 to 1992 before serving as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.
He listed his current employment as Federal Government of Nigeria (2023 to date) and declared that he had never been dismissed or withdrawn from public service.
Unlike some previous public accounts of his professional career, the employment history reflected in the EC9 form does not list other organisations that have previously featured in discussions about his career, a point that has also attracted attention on social media. However, the nomination form itself does not require candidates to provide an exhaustive employment record.
Obi provides complete educational history
In contrast, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, provided details of his educational history from primary school through university.
According to his EC9 form, Obi described his occupation as “Public Servant.”
He stated that he was born on July 19, 1961, in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The documents indicate that Obi attended St. Augustine’s Primary School, where he completed his primary education in 1973, before proceeding to Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, where he obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1978.
Obi further declared that he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1984.
His attached university certificate indicates that he graduated with Second Class Honours (Lower Division).
He also submitted his NYSC discharge certificate, showing that he completed the mandatory national service between May 1985 and March 1986.
Unlike Tinubu, Obi left the section relating to previous employment history blank in his EC9 form.
He also declared that he had never been dismissed from public service.
The publication of candidates’ credentials comes barely a month after Obi publicly urged INEC to release the academic certificates and credentials submitted by all candidates contesting the 2027 elections, arguing that greater transparency would strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
Following INEC’s publication of the nomination documents, the omission of Tinubu’s primary and secondary school details has generated widespread reactions across political and social media circles, with supporters and critics offering differing interpretations of the significance of the blank fields.
Neither the Presidency nor the All Progressives Congress (APC) had publicly explained why the President left the sections for his primary and secondary school qualifications blank, despite attaching his university degree and NYSC certificates.
The publication of the nomination forms is part of INEC’s statutory process, during which members of the public may examine candidates’ personal particulars and raise objections where permitted under the Electoral Act before the election.
Based on the nomination papers and credentials published by INEC, some of the other leading presidential candidates that could be incorporated into your report.
Atiku Abubakar (African Democratic Congress – ADC)
Atiku Abubakar’s EC9 nomination documents show a more detailed educational history than President Tinubu’s.
According to the documents:
◦ He attended Jada Central Primary School in present-day Adamawa State.
◦ He later attendedAdamawa Provincial Secondary School, Yola, where he obtained theWest African School Certificate (WASC).
◦ He subsequently studied at the School of Hygiene, Kano, before earning aHigher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy from Ahmadu Bello University, Institute of Administration, Zaria.
◦ He attached copies of his academic certificates alongside his nomination papers.
◦ He also included his employment history, showing service with the One has been calling it trail to deserve Nigeria Customs Service, from which he retired before venturing into business and politics.
In the form, Atiku also declared that he had never been dismissed from public
Senator Sandy Onor (Peoples Democratic Party – PDP)
The documents submitted by the PDP presidential candidate indicate that he:
◦ Listed his educational qualifications from primary school through tertiary education.
◦ Attached copies of his academic certificates.
◦ Declared his previous public service experience, including his legislative career.
Omoyele Sowore (African Action Congress – AAC)
INEC’s published documents show that Sowore:
◦ Submitted his educational credentials, including his university qualification.
◦ Attached supporting academic certificates.
◦ Listed his occupation and other personal particulars in the prescribed EC9 form.
He declared that he had not been dismissed from public service.
Donald Duke (Peoples Redemption Party – PRP)
The former Cross River State governor’s nomination papers include:
◦ His educational qualifications and supporting certificates.
◦ His employment and political history.
Other candidates
INEC also published the credentials of the remaining presidential candidates, including:
◦ Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed (NNPP)
◦ Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer (SDP)
◦ Chukwu Anita Zugwai (YPP)
◦ Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick (NDP)
◦ Abbas-Bin Aliyu (ADP)
◦ Rufai Adekunle Omoaje (AA)
◦ Seyi Makinde (APM)
◦ Yusuf Kabiru (APP)
◦ Okereke Sunday Chibuzor (LP)
◦ Okereke Iken Esther (NRM)
◦ Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu (ZLP)
◦ Adenuga Sunday (Boot Party)
◦ Memeh Samuel (DLA)