The publication of the personal particulars and academic credentials submitted by candidates for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election has generated fresh political debate, particularly over President Bola Tinubu’s educational records.

The Independent National Electoral Commission displayed the documents submitted by 19 presidential candidates and their running mates as part of the nomination process. The records are contained in Form EC9 and include candidates’ academic qualifications, employment histories, affidavits and other supporting documents.

INEC said the publication was carried out in compliance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the commission to make candidates’ particulars available for public inspection within 21 days of receiving them.

The exercise allows voters, political parties and other interested persons to examine the information supplied by candidates and challenge any details they believe to be false through the appropriate legal process.

President Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, listed a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration obtained from Chicago State University in 1979.

The documents also showed that he participated in the National Youth Service Corps between December 1982 and November 1983 and worked at Mobil Nigeria Limited from 1983 to 1992.

However, details and certificates relating to his primary and secondary school education were not included in the documents displayed by INEC. The omission, which was also observed during the 2023 election cycle, has revived public questions about the President’s educational history.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar submitted documents covering his education from primary school to postgraduate level, while former Anambra State governor Peter Obi provided records of his primary, secondary and university education.

Former Kogi West senator Dino Melaye questioned how Tinubu secured admission to a foreign university without presenting details of his primary and secondary education.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress also described the omission as surprising, arguing that primary and secondary education are generally required before admission into a university. The party called on the President’s media team to provide clarification.

Atiku’s camp similarly demanded clear and verifiable answers, maintaining that the issue concerned transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.

The Labour Party, however, took a different position.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said the debate should be considered from a legal rather than emotional perspective. He argued that the omission did not amount to an electoral violation because the law does not specifically require a candidate presenting a university degree to attach primary and secondary school certificates.

Asogwa also noted that legal disputes surrounding Tinubu’s qualifications were previously taken to the Supreme Court after the 2023 election.

The publication of the candidates’ credentials has consequently divided public opinion. While critics are demanding greater disclosure and independent verification, Tinubu’s defenders maintain that the university qualification presented to INEC satisfies the relevant constitutional and electoral requirements.

The absence of primary and secondary school details in the published documents does not, on its own, establish that the President did not attend those schools or that any certificate was forged. Any allegation that a candidate supplied false information would require evidence and determination by a competent court.