The publication of President Bola Tinubu’s nomination documents for the 2027 presidential election has reignited debate over his educational history after the forms released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed no entries for his primary and secondary school qualifications. The documents, made public on Saturday, contained the personal particulars and credentials submitted by presidential and vice-presidential candidates ahead of the general election.

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A review of Tinubu’s Form EC9 showed that he listed only a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University under his educational qualifications, while the sections designated for primary and secondary school details were left blank. The President, however, attached copies of his Chicago State University degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.

In the form, Tinubu stated that he was born in Lagos on March 29, 1952, identified his occupation as “Politician,” listed Mobil Nigeria Limited as his employer from 1983 to 1992, noted his service as Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, and identified the Federal Government of Nigeria as his current employer from 2023. He also declared that he had never been dismissed from public service.

The omission has attracted criticism from opposition parties, which are demanding explanations from both the President and INEC. Speaking to Punch, the National Publicity Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), Osa Director, said the questions should be answered by Tinubu and his aides, arguing that Nigerians deserved to know why the sections for primary and secondary education were left blank.

He also questioned why INEC accepted the form despite the incomplete entries, comparing it to online applications that reject submissions with missing mandatory information. While commending the electoral commission for publishing the nomination documents, Director said INEC should clarify whether those educational details were compulsory, insisting that both the commission and the President owed Nigerians an explanation.