Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has reignited the long-running controversy over President Bola Tinubu’s educational records, suggesting the President should enrol in adult education or online learning programmes to obtain missing primary and secondary school qualifications.
Sowore made the remarks on Monday outside the Federal High Court in Abuja after proceedings in his trial over alleged cyberbullying of the President, reviving a politically sensitive issue that has repeatedly surfaced in Nigeria’s electoral discourse.
The activist mocked Tinubu over sections of documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that have drawn public attention for not containing details of the President’s primary and secondary school qualifications.
“It is not too late for him to go back to school,” Sowore said, arguing that Tinubu could register for online primary and secondary education programmes or adult learning classes.
He cited former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s pursuit of further education and referenced Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s educational journey, insisting age should not be a barrier to acquiring academic qualifications.
The renewed controversy comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum, with Tinubu’s educational history once again becoming a subject of public debate.
The issue resurfaced after attention was drawn to INEC records in which sections relating to the President’s primary and secondary education were left blank, while his Bachelor of Science degree from Chicago State University was listed.
The development has also attracted comments from the National Publicity Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Osa Director, who questioned why the President’s basic educational qualifications were absent from the documents submitted to the electoral body.
According to him, the omission requires an explanation because university admission ordinarily presupposes completion of primary and secondary education.
Tinubu has previously addressed the issue in affidavits filed during past elections, explaining that the certificates were among personal documents allegedly lost when his residence was looted during his pro-democracy exile under military rule between 1994 and 1998.
However, the differences between information contained in his earlier and later electoral filings have continued to fuel political debate, with critics demanding further clarification while supporters maintain that the President’s university qualification and previous explanations sufficiently address the matter.