Group Writes INEC Over Tinubu’s Chicago Varsity Certificate

A civil society group, the Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clarify the status of the Chicago State University certificate submitted by President Bola Tinubu for the 2023 election.

The group made the demand in a letter dated June 19, 2026, and addressed to the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.

The letter was signed by the group’s Head of Legal Unit, Barrister Kalu Agu.

CFRPA said the clarification was necessary ahead of the 2027 presidential election to prevent persons with doubtful credentials from contesting elections.

The group alleged that Tinubu claimed to have attended Government College, Lagos, in 1960 and graduated in May 1970, while the school was established in 1974.

It argued that the claim raised questions about the certificates allegedly used to secure admission to Chicago State University.

The group urged Amupitan, whom it described as a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, to use his experience to resolve the controversy.

It cited Section 137(1)(j) and Section 285(14) of the 1999 Constitution, saying INEC had powers relating to the eligibility of candidates.

CFRPA warned that it may institute legal action if INEC fails to clarify Tinubu’s eligibility ahead of the 2027 election.

Parts of the letter read, “We are a non-profit, pro-democracy, human rights, anti-corruption, and public interest advocacy organisation in Nigeria.

“In line with our objectives, we respectfully wish to bring to your notice the Fake Chicago State University Certificate and forged National Youth Service Corps Discharge Certificate presented to the Commission by President Bola A. Tinubu to aid his qualification for the 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria.

“The said certificates which formed part of the President Bola A. Tinubu’s INEC FORM EC9 are hereby annexed and marked as “EXHIBIT INEC”.

“It will be recalled that in 2023, an American Court in a discovery case, particularly IN RE: APPLICATION OF ATIKU ABUBAKAR (NO. 23 CV 05099), CORAM: HONOURABLE NANCY L. MALDONADO, directed Chicago State University to release academic records of President Bola A. Tinubu to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

“The said academic records are hereby annexed and are marked as “EXHIBIT CSU”.

“Upon release of the said academic records, the following was discovered that President Bola A. Tinubu:

“Made false entries on his Chicago State University admission form wherein he claimed that he attended Government College Lagos in 1960 and graduated in May 1970 when indeed Government College Lagos was established in 1974;

“Forged University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate General Certificate of Education Certificate in 1970. Please see pages CSU 0022 and CSU 0024 of “EXHIBIT CSU”.

“It is on the basis of the foregoing that we respectfully write to you requesting for a legal clarification of the effects of President Bola A. Tinubu’s certificate obtained by fraud from Chicago State University and his forged NYSC Discharged Certificate on President Bola A. Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid.

“It is worthy of note that we have written to the Director General of National Youth Service Corps and the Secretary to Government of the Federation requesting the NYSC to issue a disclaimer on the forged NYSC Discharge certificate President Bola A. Tinubu is parading as genuine.

“Attached are copies of the said letters and are marked as “EXHIBIT LETTERS”.

“As a Professor of Law and a well respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), it is imperative to use your wealth of experience and knowledge to resolve this lingering issue surrounding the ineligibility of President Bola A. Tinubu to contest the 2027 Presidential Election considering the legal implications of the above-named forged certificates he submitted to INEC in 2023 in relation to Section 137(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as well as Section 285(14) of the said Constitution which envisages the power of the Commission to disqualify candidates for election who are ineligible.

“This is a litmus test for you to determine how neutral you will be in the conduct of future elections in Nigeria

“TAKE NOTICE that in the event you fail to make the legal position of INEC public on this request by us, we will initiate a legal action to stop INEC from receiving and/or accepting the name of President Bola A. Tinubu as the Presidential Candidate of the APC as he does not have any other academic certificate to present to INEC since President Bola A. Tinubu does not have any Primary and Secondary Certificates.

“We are hopeful that you will heed to our request and allow wise counsel prevail in the circumstance.

“INEC is constitutionally and statutorily mandated to regulate the activities of political parties in Nigeria and conduct elections into elective offices which includes accepting and/or giving Access Code to political parties to upload names of candidates into INEC online portal.