Tinubu graduated with First-Class Degree in Accounting, I’ve met many of his classmates in Chicago — Education Minister Alausa

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s academic record at Chicago State University, insisting that the President graduated with a first-class degree in accounting from the American institution.

Alausa made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday while responding to questions about Tinubu’s educational qualifications.

The minister said he was familiar with the university, having lived in Chicago for nearly 30 years. He also claimed to have personally met several people who studied alongside the President.

“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 met Tinubu’s classmates, Alausa replied, “Oh, many, many, many, in person. Many. So forget the nonsense of…”

Asked specifically whether the President graduated with a first-class degree from the institution, the minister answered, “In accounting, of course.”

Alausa also described Tinubu as a genius, dismissing questions about the President’s intellectual capacity.

“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.

The minister further defended the President’s performance in office, arguing that his administration had moved Nigeria from what he described as a moribund state to a growing economy.

“Look at how he’s transformed a moribund country three years ago to a country that is growing,” Alausa said.

However, when the interviewer raised concerns about the country’s out-of-school children and poverty levels, the minister maintained that attention should remain on what he considered the President’s achievements.

“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.

Tinubu’s academic qualifications have remained a subject of public debate, particularly following the controversy surrounding his Chicago State University records during the 2023 presidential election petition.

The issue resurfaced in August 2026 after the Independent National Electoral Commission began displaying the personal particulars and academic credentials submitted by presidential candidates for the 2027 general elections.

Tinubu’s Form EC9, sighted by PUNCH, listed a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, awarded with honours on June 22, 1979.

The document also included his National Youth Service Corps discharge details, indicating that he served in Oyo State from December 1982 to November 1983.

However, the sections for his primary and secondary school qualifications were entered as “0000”, while his university qualification was listed in the educational history published by the commission.

The entries generated renewed questions about the President’s educational background, with political figures and commentators expressing differing opinions.

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 that Tinubu attended and graduated from the institution.

However, the university records cited in the report confirm accounting as Tinubu’s major but do not specify that he graduated with a first-class classification. The first-class claim was made by Alausa during Tuesday’s television interview.

In October 2023, a BBC fact-check found no evidence that Tinubu forged the Chicago State University diploma he submitted to INEC.