2027: Tinubu Writes “00000” Under Primary And Secondary School As INEC Releases CVs Of Presidential Candidates, Running Mates

By Ayodele Oni

In line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the public display of the personal particulars, academic credentials and other nomination documents of presidential candidates for the 2027 general election,

The exercise, which began on Saturday includes documents submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and his running mate, Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The documents are contained in Form EC9, the statutory nomination form completed by candidates seeking elective office.

Also on display are those of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The published documents contain candidates’ academic certificates and other supporting credentials filed with the commission as part of the nomination process.

According to the documents on display, President Tinubu submitted his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, United States.

His academic transcript indicated that the degree was awarded “with honours” on June 22, 1979.

The nomination papers also include his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, showing he served in Oyo State between December 1982 and November 1983.

Tinubu’s employment history, as contained in the form, lists Mobil Nigeria Limited, where he worked from 1983 to 1992 before leaving for “advancement,” the Lagos State Government, where he served as governor from 1999 to 2007 until the legal end of his tenure, and the Federal Government of Nigeria, where he has served as President since 2023.

His personal details list his date of birth as March 29, 1952, his birthplace as Lagos, his residential address as No. 4 Queen’s Drive, Ikoyi, and his occupation as “politician.” The years for his primary and secondary school attendance were entered as “0000,” while only his university qualification was dated.

Vice President Shettima’s nomination documents provide a detailed academic history beginning with his primary education at Lamisula I Primary School, where he attended between 1972 and 1978.

His Certificate of Primary Education shows he graduated second in a class of 22 pupils, with English, History and Religious Knowledge listed among his strongest subjects.

His West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate from Government Secondary School, Potiskum, recorded six credits and passes, including distinctions in Religious Knowledge and Economics.

 The documents further show that he obtained a Second Class Upper Division degree in Agriculture from the University of Maiduguri in August 1989 before earning a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.

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

INEC stated that the display of Form EC9 is a statutory requirement under Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which mandates the commission to publish the credentials, personal particulars and affidavits submitted by candidates within 21 days of receiving their nomination forms.

The commission noted that the documents are available for public inspection at its offices nationwide, including state headquarters and Local Government Area offices.

The Electoral Act also empowers members of the public to apply for certified true copies of candidates’ nomination documents and to seek legal redress where there are allegations of false declarations or forgery.

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