The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has started displaying the personal particulars and academic credentials of presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general election.
The exercise began on Saturday. It features documents submitted by President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his running mate, Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Tinubu’s documents on display
Tinubu’s Form EC9 shows that he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University in the United States. His academic transcript states that the university awarded the degree with honours on June 22, 1979.
The documents also include his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate. The records show that he served in Oyo State from December 1982 to November 1983.
Employment history and personal details
Tinubu’s employment record lists three organisations where he worked. According to the form, he worked at Mobil Nigeria Limited between 1983 and 1992 before leaving for career advancement.
The records also show that he served as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007. They further indicate that he has served in the Federal Government since assuming office as President in 2023. The personal information section lists his date of birth as March 29, 1952, and identifies Lagos as his place of birth.
It also records his residential address as No. 4, Queen’s Drive, Ikoyi. His occupation is listed as politician. Although the form contains sections for primary and secondary education, both entries carry the year “0000.” However, it lists his university qualification obtained in 1979.
Shettima’s educational records
The documents also trace Shettima’s educational journey from primary school. His Certificate of Primary Education shows that he attended Lamisula I Primary School between 1972 and 1978.
The certificate states that he graduated second in a class of 22 pupils. It also identifies English, History and Religious Knowledge as his strongest subjects. His West African Examinations Council (WAEC) result shows that he completed secondary school at Government Secondary School, Potiskum, in June 1983.
The result includes six credits and passes. It also records distinctions in Religious Knowledge and Economics. Shettima later earned a Second Class Upper Division degree in Agriculture from the University of Maiduguri in August 1989.
He subsequently obtained a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan. His NYSC certificate also shows that he completed national service between October 1989 and October 1990.
Display follows Electoral Act
INEC said the public display complies with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026. The commission explained that Form EC9 contains candidates’ personal particulars, academic credentials and supporting affidavits.
“Form EC9 contains the credentials, personal particulars and affidavits submitted by candidates sponsored by political parties.”
The commission displayed the documents at its offices nationwide, including the Lagos State office in Sabo-Yaba and Local Government Area offices in the affected constituencies. INEC also said members of the public may apply for Certified True Copies of nomination forms and other documents submitted by candidates.
The commission added that anyone alleging false declaration or forgery may seek legal redress under the Electoral Act. Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19. Campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections will commence later in line with INEC’s revised timetable.
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