7A former lecturer at Chicago State University (CSU), Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu never attended the institution.
Pearse made the allegation in an interview with News Central TV, claiming he has personal knowledge of the President’s academic records because he worked at the university.
He said he served at Chicago State University for five years between 1985 and 1990 and was director of the programme Tinubu allegedly studied.
“I know that he did not even attend Chicago State University,” Pearse said when asked about what he knows that could affect the President’s chances in the 2027 election.
When reminded that the Minister of Education had confirmed Tinubu’s attendance, Pearse dismissed the confirmation.
“The Minister of Education works for the President. He is lying, just as the President himself is a bona fide professional liar,” he alleged.
Pearse also disputed claims that Tinubu was homeschooled, arguing that the President had submitted names of schools he attended in his INEC forms.
“Look at the records he has been submitting to INEC. He never said he was homeschooled. He gave names of schools which he never attended,” he claimed.
He said he was approached around 1999 by supporters of former Lagos governorship candidate, Funsho Williams, who were seeking information on Tinubu’s academic records, and that he provided the information to them.
The interview has drawn reactions from political figures including African Democratic Congress (ADC) deputy governorship candidate, Babatunde Gbadamosi, who said he knows Pearse and considers him a man of integrity.
Gbadamosi also questioned Tinubu’s secondary school history, claiming the President could not have graduated from Government College Lagos in 1970 as the school was established in 1974.
*What CSU Records Show*
Pearse’s allegation contradicts official records and sworn testimony released by Chicago State University.
Following a legal application by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the United States, CSU released Tinubu’s academic records in October 2023 under court order.
CSU Registrar Caleb Westberg testified under oath that Bola A. Tinubu attended the university from August 1977 to June 1979 and graduated on June 22, 1979, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting, with honours.
The university also confirmed Tinubu as its graduate.
The released records generated public debate over discrepancies in some documents, including a gender marker error and differences in certificate design.
A BBC investigation published in October 2023 found no evidence that Tinubu forged his diploma, noting that variations in certificate templates were linked to replacement certificate issuance over the years.