In compliance with a US court order, the university released some documents on Monday, which included Tinubu's admission records from August 1977 to June 1979.
The release of President Bola Tinubu's credentials by Chicago State University on Monday, October 2, 2023, has sparked conversation among Nigerians, with his supporters and opponents expressing divided opinions on social media.
Tinubu's political opponent, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who contested against him in the 2023 presidential election, approached a US court to order the university to release Tinubu's credentials to his legal team.
Atiku requested the credentials to support the allegation that Tinubu forged the academic certificate he presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the February 25 election.
In compliance with the court order, the university released some documents on Monday, including Tinubu's admission records from August 1977 to June 1979. Here are the findings from the records released by the university about Tinubu.
Chicago State University confirmed that Bola A. Tinubu indeed attended the university from August 1977 to June 1979. The institution also confirmed that he was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Honors on June 22, 1979.
The Southwest College transcript used by Bola A. Tinubu to gain admission to Chicago State University indicated that the transcript actually belonged to a female. However, the admission letter dated August 23, 1977, from the university was addressed to Mr. Tinubu.
Additionally, in a document titled "Undergraduate Admissions Application," the gender box was ticked as MALE for Bola A. Tinubu. Apart from the Southwest College transcript, all other documents related to Tinubu from Chicago State University indicate that he was male throughout his enrollment at the institution."
The release of these documents has ignited fierce debate among Nigerians, as supporters and opponents of Tinubu analyze the implications of the information presented. Those who support Tinubu argue that the confirmation of his attendance and graduation from Chicago State University with honors silences the allegations of certificate forgery. They point out that he obtained his degree through legitimate means, dispelling doubts about his educational qualifications.
On the other hand, his opponents, led by Atiku Abubakar, contend that the revelation about the transcript belonging to a female raises questions of dishonesty. They argue that this discrepancy in gender raises doubts about the authenticity of Tinubu's educational background. Atiku's legal team argues that this revelation bolsters their claim that Tinubu tampered with his credentials to qualify for the presidential election.
As the news spreads across social media platforms, Nigerians have been divided in their reactions. Some view the gender discrepancy as a minor issue, questioning why it should overshadow the fact that Tinubu earned his degree legitimately. They argue that this could simply be a clerical mistake or a mix-up, rather than evidence of any intentional wrongdoing.
However, others argue that the gender discrepancy raises serious doubts about Tinubu's integrity and credibility. They contend that if he had nothing to hide, why would he present a transcript with a different gender identity? This line of argument suggests that Tinubu may have been involved in fraudulent activities, casting doubt on his suitability for public office.
The release of these documents has undoubtedly created a stir in Nigerian politics. As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen how this new information will impact Tinubu's political aspirations and his reputation amongst the Nigerian people.