The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the statutory public display of the academic credentials and personal particulars submitted by President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general election.
The commission said the exercise, which began on Saturday, complies with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, requiring it to publish the nomination forms and supporting documents of candidates within 21 days of receiving them.
According to INEC, Form EC9 contains the credentials, personal particulars and sworn affidavits submitted by candidates sponsored by political parties, allowing members of the public to examine the information before the elections.
Documents displayed at INEC offices nationwide reveal that President Tinubu obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, United States, graduating with honours on June 22, 1979.
His nomination documents also indicate that he participated in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Oyo State from December 1982 to November 1983. His employment history lists Mobil Nigeria Limited, where he worked between 1983 and 1992 before leaving for career advancement; the Lagos State Government, where he served as governor from 1999 to 2007; and the Federal Government of Nigeria, where he has served as President since 2023.
The documents list Tinubu's date of birth as March 29, 1952, making him 74 years old. They also identify his place of birth as Lagos, his residential address as No. 4 Queen's Drive, Ikoyi, and his occupation as a politician. While his university qualification bears a graduation year, the entries for his primary and secondary education are recorded as "0000."
Vice President Shettima's credentials provide a comprehensive record of his educational background from primary school onward.
His Certificate of Primary Education, issued by the Ministry of Education of the former North-Eastern State, shows that he attended Lamisula I Primary School between 1972 and 1978, graduating second in a class of 22 pupils, with English, History and Religious Knowledge among his strongest subjects.
His West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate, obtained at Government Secondary School, Potiskum, in June 1983, records six credits and passes, including 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 before obtaining a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan. His NYSC records show that he served between October 1989 and October 1990.
INEC reminded Nigerians that any member of the public may apply for certified true copies of candidates' nomination forms and accompanying documents. It added that individuals who believe a candidate submitted false information or forged documents may challenge such declarations through the courts, as provided by law.
The commission also disclosed that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will officially commence on August 19, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections will begin later in accordance with the 2027 election timetable.
Reaffirming the purpose of the exercise, INEC stated that Form EC9 contains the credentials, personal particulars and affidavits submitted by candidates sponsored by political parties, underscoring its commitment to transparency and public participation in the electoral process.
