Let's Learn About the Famous Chicago State University and Tinubu

The 2023 election, which was expected to be the most peaceful in Nigeria, ended up creating more wounds in the hearts of many citizens than before. After the result was announced by Prof Mahmood Yakubu, many observers raised the alarm at INEC HQ and even on different social media platforms, claiming that the independent body had been bought. Before the election, Buhari said that INEC would display the electoral process live on its IREV portal.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go well, as INEC complained that it couldn’t display the results live due to some challenges. Counting continued, and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aka “The Jagaban,” was elected as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

However, it hasn’t been easy for the APC, as opposition parties are on their heels to bring evidence before the Supreme Court that Tinubu is not qualified to be at the Presidential Villa. 

Currently, the issue on the ground is about the authenticity of the Bola Tinubu certificate, amongst other allegations presented to the Supreme Court. Let’s look more at the relationship between Tinubu, Chicago University, and his rivals.

Did Tinubu Graduate From Chicago State University?

Unfortunately, Chicago State University finds itself entangled in Nigerian politics, but the record needs to be set as to whether or not Tinubu graduated from the institution.

Recently, Atiku Abubakar claimed that the result Tinubu presented to INEC, stating that he graduated from Chicago State University in 1979, was forged, and he further added that it was enough reason to disqualify Tinubu as a sitting president.

At the hearing in Chicago this week, Atiku’s lawyer asked a federal judge to instruct CSU officials to provide needed documents about Tinubu's academic background. However, Judge Jeffrey Gilbert of the United States District Court for the Nothern District of Illinois did not rule in their favour.

Michael Hayes, a CSU lawyer, told Gilbert that the university doesn’t stand a chance to certify Tinubu’s diploma under oath.

A CSU spokeswoman said the university can confirm the president graduated. However, it cannot authenticate the diploma because it is a ceremonial document that is not part of a student's official academic file. 

The Statement

• As an educational institution, we are sometimes asked to provide information related to student records. The federal law known as FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protects the privacy of student records and limits what an institution can release.

• In August 2023, a request was made in a U.S. federal court for the university to provide information related to educational records concerning Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, and a former CSU student. The university has confirmed that Tinubu attended CSU and graduated in 1979 with a bachelor's degree. Federal law, however, prevents us from providing any further information without consent or unless allowed to do so via court order.

• CSU is confident in the veracity and integrity of our records regarding Tinubu's completion of graduation requirements and degree certificates. The university is not a party to the Nigerian legal proceedings that spurred this request, and a U.S. federal judge will determine whether the university will provide further requested information.

• Our response to the request for Tinubu's academic records has been entirely consistent with our practices, policies, and federal law. We would respond in the same manner to any request for student information by a third party.

Where is Chicago State University?

Chicago State University is located at 9501 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60628, USA.