A former Chicago State University (CSU) lecturer, Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, has disputed President Bola Tinubu’s academic history, alleging that he never attended the American institution and accusing Education Minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, of misleading Nigerians over his qualifications.
Pearse made the claims during an interview on News Central TV, where he said he had access to information contradicting Tinubu’s reported attendance.
He disclosed that he worked at CSU between 1985 and 1990 and headed the programme the President allegedly attended.
He also claimed that individuals seeking information about Tinubu’s academic background approached him around 1999 in connection with inquiries involving late Lagos politician, Funsho Williams. Pearse said he provided relevant information but advised them to focus their political campaign on Tinubu’s public record.
The former lecturer further alleged that documents Tinubu submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) listed schools he never attended.
He faulted Alausa’s defence of the President, insisting that the minister had failed to address questions surrounding his educational history.
Alausa, during a November 3 interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, maintained that Tinubu graduated from CSU with a first-class degree in accounting. He cited his familiarity with Chicago, visits to the university and interactions with people he identified as Tinubu’s former classmates.
However, CSU’s official records confirm that Tinubu attended the institution from August 1977 to June 1979, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in accounting.
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The university released his academic records in October 2023 following a US federal court order obtained by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who sought the documents as part of his legal challenge to Tinubu’s election and allegations that the President submitted a forged certificate to INEC.
The university’s registrar, Caleb Westberg, confirmed Tinubu’s attendance and graduation but said the institution could not locate a copy of his original 1979 diploma.
On October 26, 2023, the Supreme Court rejected Atiku’s application to introduce the records as additional evidence in his election appeal, ruling that the request fell outside the constitutionally prescribed timeframe.
A BBC investigation published in October 2023 also found no evidence that Tinubu’s diploma was forged.
Pearse’s claims have revived the controversy, although they do not overturn CSU’s documented confirmation of Tinubu’s attendance and graduation. His stated employment period at the university also began six years after Tinubu’s recorded departure.
Beyond the academic dispute, Pearse criticised the Tinubu administration over poverty, unemployment and insecurity, predicting that Nigerians would reject the government in the 2027 general election.
He also warned of possible international legal implications but identified no specific pending proceedings.