The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has described President Bola Tinubu as a genius, claiming that the Nigerian leader graduated with a first-class degree in accounting from Chicago State University (CSU), United States.
Alausa made the assertion on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*, where he discussed the administration’s achievements and addressed lingering questions surrounding Tinubu’s academic qualifications.
The minister said his nearly 30 years of residence and work in the United States gave him familiarity with the university, adding that he had visited the institution several times.
“I studied in America and I worked in America. I know the importance of research. The president is also the first internationally exposed president. The president that studied in America, that had first class in accounting,” he said.
Alausa dismissed criticisms from opposition politicians over Tinubu’s academic records, insisting that he had personally met several people who attended the university alongside the president.
Asked whether he knew Tinubu’s former classmates, the minister responded: “Oh many in person. So, forget the nonsense from the opposition. Let’s not talk about the capability of this president. The president is a genius. Look at how he has transformed a moribund country to a country that is growing.”
His comments come amid renewed scrutiny of the president’s educational background, particularly following debates over the details of his academic qualifications.
In the personal particulars submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi did not provide details of their primary and secondary education.
Tinubu listed a university qualification, stating that he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 1979, but did not indicate that he graduated with first-class honours.
Available academic records identify his qualification from Chicago State University as a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in accounting and management.
The president’s CSU certificate became a major subject of controversy ahead of the 2023 presidential election, following allegations questioning whether the individual who attended the institution was the same person currently serving as Nigeria’s president.
In August 2023, Atiku approached a United States district court seeking an order compelling Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic records.
Tinubu opposed the application, which generated further public debate over his educational history.
In September 2023, public affairs analyst Durojaiye Ogunsanya also claimed that he attended CSU alongside Tinubu and graduated with him in 1979 from the Department of Accounting and Business Administration.
The university subsequently confirmed in October 2023 that Tinubu attended the institution and graduated in 1979.
