The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has stirred fresh controversy over President Bola Tinubu’s academic qualifications, claiming that the President graduated with a first-class degree in accounting from Chicago State University, United States.
Alausa, who described Tinubu as a genius, insisted that he had personally met several people who attended the university alongside the President.
The minister made the claims during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday while responding to questions about the President’s educational background.
Defending his position, Alausa said he was familiar with the institution, having lived in Chicago for nearly 30 years and visited the university several times.
“I’m telling you hardcore facts. I lived in Chicago for almost 30 years. I’ve been to that university so many times,” he said.
When asked whether he had personally met Tinubu’s former classmates, the minister responded that he had met many of them.
Asked specifically whether the President graduated with a first-class degree, Alausa replied, “In accounting, of course.”
He went further to dismiss questions about Tinubu’s intellectual ability, describing him as a genius.
“Oh, he’s a genius. Let’s not talk about the capability of this President. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is literally a genius,” he said.
Alausa also defended the President’s performance, claiming that his administration had transformed Nigeria from a moribund country into a growing economy.
However, when confronted with concerns over widespread poverty and the number of out-of-school children, the minister insisted that attention should remain on what Tinubu had achieved.
“Let me focus on what you’re saying. I don’t want you to derail this conversation. But this President has delivered this for Nigeria,” he added.
The minister’s claim is likely to reignite the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s academic qualifications, which came under intense scrutiny during the 2023 presidential election petition.
The debate resurfaced in August 2026 after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began displaying the personal particulars and academic credentials submitted by presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu’s Form EC9 listed a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, awarded with honours on June 22, 1979.
His NYSC discharge documents also indicated that he served in Oyo State between December 1982 and November 1983.
However, the spaces provided for his primary and secondary school qualifications were entered as “0000”, leaving his university qualification as the only educational credential indicated in the published form.
The omission triggered fresh questions from political figures and commentators about the President’s educational background.
Chicago State University had previously confirmed that Tinubu attended the institution and graduated in 1979, with accounting as his major.
In September 2023, the university released his academic records following a legal request by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who sought the documents as part of his challenge to Tinubu’s election victory.
The university’s registrar, Caleb Westberg, also testified before a United States court, confirming that Tinubu attended and graduated from the institution.
However, while the university’s records confirm accounting as Tinubu’s major, they do not specify that he graduated with a first-class degree.
The first-class claim was made by Alausa during Tuesday’s television interview.
Don’t Miss Out! Join our WhatsApp Channel for instant news updates. Click here to join
