The Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced the public display of the personal particulars and academic credentials submitted by presidential candidates for the 2027 general election.
The exercise, which began on Saturday, includes documents filed by President Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and his running mate, Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Documents contained in Tinubu’s Form EC9 show that he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, United States, with honours in June 1979.
The documents also include his National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate, indicating that he served in Oyo State between December 1982 and November 1983.
According to the form, Tinubu’s employment history covers his time at Mobil Nigeria Limited from 1983 to 1992, his tenure as Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, and his current position with the Federal Government since 2023.
The form lists his date of birth as March 29, 1952, his birthplace as Lagos, and his occupation as a politician. While his university qualification was provided, the sections for his primary and secondary school years were entered as “0000.”
For Shettima, the submitted documents provide details of his educational background from primary school through postgraduate studies.
His primary school certificate shows he attended Lamisula I Primary School from 1972 to 1978, while his West African Examinations Council result from Government Secondary School, Potiskum, reflects credits in several subjects, including distinctions in Religious Knowledge and Economics.
The documents further indicate that Shettima earned a Second Class Upper degree in Agriculture from the University of Maiduguri in 1989 before obtaining a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.
His NYSC discharge certificate shows he completed national service between October 1989 and October 1990.
INEC said the publication of the documents is in compliance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires the commission to display the credentials and personal particulars of candidates after receiving their nomination forms.
“Form EC9 contains the credentials, personal particulars and affidavits submitted by candidates sponsored by political parties,” the commission said.
The electoral body noted that the documents have been displayed at its offices across the country, including state and local government offices, to allow members of the public to inspect them.
It added that any member of the public may apply for certified true copies of the nomination forms and supporting documents and pursue legal action where there are allegations of false declaration or forgery, as provided by law.
Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to begin on August 19, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections will commence later in line with the commission’s timetable.
