The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has started the statutory public display of academic credentials and personal particulars submitted by President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, the All Progressives Congress APC presidential and vice presidential candidates for the 2027 general election.
The Commission said the effort which started yesterday, is in accordance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which mandates it to publish candidates’ particulars within 21 days of receipt.
“Form EC9 contains the credentials, personal particulars and affidavits submitted by candidates sponsored by political parties,” INEC said.
Documents showing the academic and career history of Tinubu were made available to INEC offices around the country. His Form EC9 revealed that he was earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration by Chicago State University, United States, conferred with honours on June 22, 1979.
•Tinubu’s academic credentials
The form also captured his National Youth Service Corps data which indicated that he served in Oyo State from December 1982 and was demobilised in November 1983.
His employment history indicated that he worked for three employers: Mobil Nigeria Limited from 1983 to 1992 when he left for advancement; the Lagos State Government from 1999 to 2007 when his tenure as governor legally ended; and the Federal Government of Nigeria, where he has been since 2023.
His primary and secondary school attendance were entered as “0000”, and only his university qualification was entered with a specific year.
His biographical data indicated he was born on March 29, 1952, which made him 74 years old; his place of birth was Lagos; his residence address was No. 4 Queen’s Drive, Ikoyi; and he was a politician.
On the other hand, Shettima’s documents were his educational qualification at the primary level. His Certificate of Primary Education, issued by the Ministry of Education of the defunct North-Eastern State, showed that he attended Lamisula I Primary School between 1972 and 1978, finishing second out of 22 pupils in his final year, with English, History and Religious Knowledge listed as his strongest subjects.
His West African Examinations Council result (at Government Secondary School, Potiskum) in June 1983 was six credits and passes, with distinctions in Religious Knowledge and Economics.
He then continued to the University of Maiduguri where he graduated with a Second Class Upper Division degree in Agriculture in August 1989 and then obtained a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.
His NYSC discharge records reflect that he was in service from October 1989 to October 1990.
INEC said the public was entitled to apply for certified true copies of the nomination forms and other documents provided by the candidates and might seek legal remedies if there were allegations of fraudulent declaration or forgery.
The Commission’s new calendar implies that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on August 19, while those for the governorship and state assembly will come up later.
The commission reiterated that Form EC9 contains the credentials, personal particulars and affidavits submitted by candidates supported by political parties.
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