Ex-Chicago State University lecturer disputes Tinubu’s attendance claim

A former Chicago State University lecturer, Dr Pearse Adetokumbo, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu falsely claimed to have attended the American university, saying the Nigerian leader was never a student there. Adetokumbo also accused Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa of misleading Nigerians when defending statements about Tinubu’s academic record. The claims have revived a dispute over the President’s education that drew wide attention during the 2023 presidential election and subsequent court cases. In an interview on News Central TV, Adetokumbo said he taught at Chicago State University from 1985 to 1990 and directed the programme that Tinubu allegedly said he attended. He said his role at the university gave him direct knowledge of its academic records, and he insisted Tinubu did not study there. The former lecturer also alleged that documents the President submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) listed schools he did not attend. He questioned the education minister’s public statements on Tinubu’s education, accusing him of defending the President instead of providing accurate information. Adetokumbo warned that the controversy could eventually draw international legal attention and said strong language was needed to address what he called misconduct in Nigerian institutions. He said: “I used to be a lecturer at Chicago State University. For five years. I was the director of the programme that Tinubu said he attended at Chicago State University. I was at Chicago State University from 1985 to 1990. “After he had left, I can tell you now that when they were looking for information on Tinubu’s record, I think it was 1999, it was to me that they sent people to come and collect the information. I had the information. But the fact of the matter is, I know that he never attended Chicago State University, and he knows that I know.” Adetokumbo also criticised the Tinubu administration, citing poverty, unemployment and insecurity as major problems for Nigerians. He said the government’s handling of those issues could become a significant matter in the 2027 general election. His remarks come as political discussion builds ahead of the next presidential election, and he expressed confidence that voters would seek a change in leadership. President Tinubu and Dr Alausa have not yet publicly responded to the latest allegations.