INEC displays Tinubu, Shettima’s credentials ahead of 2027 polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the public display of the personal particulars and academic credentials of presidential candidates for the 2027 general elections, beginning with President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

Documents displayed on Saturday showed that Tinubu submitted a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, United States, awarded with honours on June 22, 1979. His records also include a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate showing he served in Oyo State between December 1982 and November 1983.

 

The President’s employment history listed Mobil Nigeria Limited (1983–1992), Lagos State Government (1999–2007), and the Federal Government of Nigeria (2023 to date). His Form EC9 also lists his date of birth as March 29, 1952, birthplace as Lagos, residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, and occupation as politician. However, the years for his primary and secondary school education were entered as “0000.”

 

Shettima’s documents trace his educational background from Lamisula I Primary School, where he studied between 1972 and 1978, to Government Secondary School, Potiskum, where he obtained his WAEC certificate in 1983. He later earned a Second Class Upper degree in Agriculture from the University of Maiduguri in 1989 and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.

 

His NYSC certificate showed he completed national service between October 1989 and October 1990.

 

INEC said the display of Form EC9 is in compliance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the commission to publish the personal particulars, credentials and affidavits submitted by candidates within 21 days of receiving their nominations.

 

The commission stated that the documents are available for public inspection at its offices nationwide, noting that interested persons may apply for certified true copies and seek legal redress where there are allegations of false declarations or forged credentials.

 

Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to commence on August 19, while those for governorship and state assembly elections will begin later in line with INEC’s revised timetable.