A former lecturer at Chicago State University (CSU), Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu never attended the American institution, reigniting controversy over the Nigerian leader’s educational background.
Pearse made the allegation during an interview with News Central TV, claiming that his previous employment at the university gave him direct knowledge of Tinubu’s academic records.
The former lecturer said he worked at Chicago State University for five years, between 1985 and 1990, and served as director of the programme Tinubu allegedly studied.
“I know that he did not even attend Chicago State University,” Pearse declared when asked about information that could affect Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 presidential election.
When the interviewer pointed out that Nigeria’s Minister of Education had confirmed Tinubu’s attendance at the institution, Pearse rejected the minister’s position, accusing him of misleading Nigerians.
“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 Questions Tinubu’s Educational History
Pearse also challenged the explanation that Tinubu was homeschooled, arguing that the President had previously submitted the names of schools he allegedly attended in official documents filed with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, the educational history contained in Tinubu’s official submissions contradicts the homeschooling explanation.
“But that is not what he said. That is not what Tinubu himself said. 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,” Pearse claimed.
The former lecturer explained that he had previously avoided discussing the controversy publicly but decided to speak out because of Nigeria’s current political situation.
He further recalled being approached around 1999 by individuals associated with supporters of former Lagos State governorship candidate Funsho Williams, who were reportedly seeking information about Tinubu’s academic background.
Pearse said he provided the information available to him but advised those seeking to challenge Tinubu politically to focus on his performance rather than his educational history.
“I gave them the information, but I told them this is not how you win an election. Campaign against this guy and his performance. That’s what you do,” he said.
He maintained that Tinubu never attended Chicago State University, adding: “He knows that I know.”
ADC Chieftain Backs Pearse, Raises Questions About Tinubu’s Secondary School Records
Pearse’s comments have attracted reactions from political figures, including Babatunde Gbadamosi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) deputy governorship candidate, who publicly expressed support for the former lecturer.
In a reaction to the interview, Gbadamosi said he knew Pearse personally and considered him a man of integrity.
“I know Dr Pearse VERY WELL. I know him to be a man of integrity and not a liar,” he wrote.
Gbadamosi also claimed that Pearse had previously discussed the controversy with him privately before deciding to make his allegations public.
The ADC chieftain subsequently questioned Tinubu’s reported secondary school history, particularly claims that the President graduated from Government College Lagos in 1970.
According to Gbadamosi, the school was not established until 1974, making the reported graduation year questionable.
He said he attended the institution from 1978 and witnessed the graduation of its first set of students in 1979.
“I was a student there from 1978, and I witnessed the graduation of the first set in 1979. Tinubu was not there,” Gbadamosi claimed.
He also disputed Tinubu’s reported attendance at Government College Ibadan, citing information he said he obtained from individuals familiar with the institution’s history.
Gbadamosi linked the alleged inconsistencies in Tinubu’s educational background to what he described as questionable governance, criticising the administration over borrowing and alleged mismanagement.
“If his educational history is this opaque, why are you surprised at his buccaneering style of governance? Why are you surprised at the wholesale borrowing and looting of loans?” he asked.
He called on Nigerians to end what he described as brigandage in government through their votes in the 2027 general elections.
What Chicago State University Said About Tinubu’s Academic Records
Despite the latest allegations, Pearse’s claims that Tinubu never attended Chicago State University contradict official university records and sworn testimony previously presented in a United States legal proceeding.
In October 2023, Chicago State University released Tinubu’s academic records following a legal dispute initiated by former Nigerian presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
The disclosure followed a court order in the United States compelling the university to provide relevant documents relating to Tinubu’s educational history.
During the proceedings, CSU Registrar Caleb Westberg testified under oath that Tinubu attended the institution between August 1977 and June 1979.
Westberg also confirmed that Tinubu graduated on June 22, 1979, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting.
According to the registrar’s testimony, Tinubu graduated with honours.
The release of the records, however, generated considerable controversy in Nigeria, particularly over discrepancies in some documents, differences in personal details and questions surrounding the replacement certificate submitted by Tinubu to INEC.
BBC Investigation Examined Tinubu’s Chicago State University Certificate
In October 2023, the BBC published an investigation examining allegations surrounding Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate.
The investigation found no evidence that Tinubu forged his diploma. It explained that differences in certificate designs could be attributed to changes in the university’s templates for replacement certificates over the years.
The BBC also examined a gender-marker discrepancy identified in one of the university’s records.
The renewed allegations by Pearse have therefore reopened public debate over Tinubu’s educational background, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
However, his claims remain allegations and must be considered alongside Chicago State University’s official records and the registrar’s sworn testimony confirming Tinubu’s attendance and graduation.
Neither Pearse’s latest assertions nor Gbadamosi’s supporting comments, on their own, overturn the university’s previously released academic records.