By Muhammadu Sabiu
Chicago State University (CSU) has confirmed that President Bola Tinubu attended the institution and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1979.
This revelation comes amid a contentious dispute regarding the authenticity of Tinubu’s academic records, raised by Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election.
CSU, in its statement, clarified that while it could confirm Tinubu’s attendance and graduation, it was constrained by the United States’ federal law, specifically the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), from providing any further information without consent or a court order.
The controversy stems from Atiku Abubakar’s claims that the documents showing Tinubu’s graduation from CSU in 1979 were not original and should invalidate his election victory.
Atiku’s legal team had requested CSU to release Tinubu’s academic documents and appear for depositions in a federal court hearing in Chicago.
During this hearing, CSU’s lawyer, Michael Hayes, informed Judge Jeffrey Gilbert that the university could confirm Tinubu’s graduation but could not certify the diploma as an official academic record. CSU explained that the diploma was ceremonial and not part of a student’s official academic file.
Despite the Presidential Election Petition Court dismissing Atiku’s claim against Tinubu’s election in February 2023, the controversy over Tinubu’s academic credentials continues.
CSU’s statement to CBS News reaffirmed the university’s confidence in the integrity of its records concerning Tinubu’s graduation requirements and degree certificate.
Your reaction