The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has described President Bola Tinubu as a genius, claiming that the Nigerian leader graduated with a first-class degree in accounting from Chicago State University in the United States.
Alausa made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’, where he highlighted the educational achievements of the Tinubu administration and addressed the controversy surrounding the president’s academic qualifications.
The minister said he had lived in the United States for nearly 30 years and confirmed that Tinubu attended and graduated from Chicago State University (CSU).
“I studied in America and I worked in America. I know the importance of research. The president is also the first internationally exposed president. The president that studied in America, that had first class in accounting,” he said.
“I know the university: Chicago State University. Forget the nonsense opposition is peddling. I’m telling your hard core facts. I lived in Chicago for almost 30 years. I have been to that university so many times.”
When asked whether he had personally met Tinubu’s former classmates, Alausa responded: “Oh many in person. So, forget the nonsense from the opposition. Let’s not talk about the capability of this president. The president is a genius. Look at how he has transformed a moribound country to a country that is growing.”
His comments come amid continued criticism from opposition figures over the president’s academic records.
In the personal particulars submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi did not provide details of their primary and secondary education.
Tinubu listed only his university qualification, stating that he obtained a BSc degree in 1979, without specifying that he graduated with first-class honours.
The president’s academic records indicate that he obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting and management from CSU.
Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate became the subject of widespread controversy.
During the election period, allegations emerged that the Bola Tinubu who attended CSU was not the same person currently serving as Nigeria’s president.
In August 2023, Atiku Abubakar, who contested the presidential election against Tinubu, approached a US district court seeking an order to subpoena CSU for the president’s academic records.
Tinubu subsequently challenged Abubakar’s application.
However, in October 2023, the university confirmed that Tinubu had attended the institution and graduated in 1979.
CSU expressed confidence in its records concerning Tinubu’s “completion of graduation requirements and degree certificate”.
In a statement sent to CBS Broadcasting, an American news network, the university said federal law barred it from releasing “any further information” about Tinubu without his consent or a court order.
Amid the controversy, public affairs analyst Durojaiye Ogunsanya said in September 2023 that he was Tinubu’s classmate at CSU and graduated alongside the president from the department of accounting and business administration in 1979.