The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the public display of the personal details, credentials and academic records submitted by presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general election.
The exercise, which began on Saturday, includes documents submitted by President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his running mate, Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Documents from Tinubu’s Form EC9 showed that he submitted his Bachelor of Science 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 documents also included his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, showing that he served in Oyo State from December 1982 to November 1983.
Tinubu’s listed work history showed that he worked with Mobil Nigeria Limited from 1983 to 1992, served as Lagos State Governor between 1999 and 2007, and has been serving as President of Nigeria since 2023.
His personal details on the form listed his date of birth as March 29, 1952, birthplace as Lagos, occupation as politician, and residential address in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The form also showed that the sections for his primary and secondary education years were entered as “0000”, while his university qualification was recorded as his listed academic credential.
For Vice President Shettima, the documents displayed by INEC provided details of his educational background from primary school level.
His records showed that he attended Lamisula I Primary School between 1972 and 1978, where he finished second out of 22 pupils in his final year. His strongest subjects were listed as English, History and Religious Knowledge.
His West African Examinations Council (WAEC) result from Government Secondary School, Potiskum, in 1983 showed six credits and passes, including distinctions in Religious Knowledge and Economics.
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Shettima later obtained a Second Class Upper degree in Agriculture from the University of Maiduguri in 1989 and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan. His NYSC records showed that he served from October 1989 to October 1990.
INEC said the public display of candidates’ credentials is a legal requirement under Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires the commission to publish candidates’ particulars within 21 days of receiving them.
The commission explained that Form EC9 contains candidates’ personal information, credentials and affidavits submitted by political parties.
The documents are available for public viewing at INEC offices nationwide, including state and local government offices in relevant areas.
Under the law, members of the public can request certified copies of nomination documents and take legal action over alleged false declarations or forged credentials.
Campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to begin on August 19, according to INEC’s revised timetable.
