Education Minister Tunji Alausa says he personally knows several of President Bola Tinubu’s former classmates, insisting that the President earned a first-class degree from the American university despite lingering questions over his academic records.

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has strongly defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s academic qualifications, insisting that the President graduated with a first-class degree in Accounting from Chicago State University (CSU), United States.

Alausa dismissed questions surrounding Tinubu’s educational background, claiming that his personal familiarity with the institution and his interactions with people who studied alongside the President had given him confidence in the President’s academic history.

The minister made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, where he was asked to clarify Tinubu’s academic qualifications amid renewed public interest in his educational records.

Defending his position, Alausa said he had lived in Chicago for nearly three decades and had visited Chicago State University several times.

“I’m telling you hardcore facts. I lived in Chicago for almost 30 years. I’ve been to that university so many times,” the minister said.

When the interviewer asked whether he had personally met any of Tinubu’s former classmates, Alausa responded affirmatively, claiming to have met several of them.

“Oh, many, many, many, in person. Many. So forget the nonsense of…” he said.

The minister was subsequently asked directly whether Tinubu graduated from the institution with a first-class degree.

“In accounting, of course,” Alausa replied.

He went further to describe the President as a genius, dismissing suggestions that Tinubu’s intellectual capacity should be questioned.

“Oh, he’s a genius. Let’s not talk about the capability of this President. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is literally a genius,” he stated.

Beyond the controversy surrounding the President’s academic qualifications, Alausa also defended Tinubu’s performance in office, arguing that his administration had made significant progress in transforming Nigeria’s economy.

According to the minister, the country has moved from what he described as a moribund state to an economy showing signs of growth under Tinubu’s leadership.

“Look at how he’s transformed a moribund country three years ago to a country that is growing,” Alausa said.

However, the interviewer challenged his assessment by drawing attention to Nigeria’s persistent challenges, particularly the high number of out-of-school children and widespread poverty.

The minister pushed back, accusing the interviewer of attempting to shift the discussion away from the President’s achievements.

“Let me focus on what you’re saying. I don’t want you to derail this conversation. But this President has delivered this for Nigeria,” he added.

Tinubu's Chicago State University Records Remain Under Public Scrutiny

Tinubu’s academic qualifications have remained a subject of public debate, particularly following the controversy over his Chicago State University records during the 2023 presidential election litigation.

The dispute attracted significant attention after documents from the American university became central to legal proceedings challenging aspects of the President’s educational credentials.

The issue has continued to generate political and public interest, with questions raised over the documents submitted by Tinubu and the information contained in the university’s records.

The debate resurfaced in August 2026 after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began displaying the personal particulars and academic credentials submitted by presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Alausa’s latest comments have added another dimension to the ongoing discussion, with the education minister publicly standing by Tinubu’s academic record and dismissing doubts about his qualification.

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