Former Chicago State lecturer accuses Tinubu of false university claims and warns against election rigging

Allegations of false academic credentials

On 9 November 2026, Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, a former lecturer at Chicago State University, appeared on News Central Television to claim that President Bola Tinubu has misrepresented his educational background. Pearse said that Tinubu never attended the American university, despite the Education Minister’s confirmation that the president had studied there between 1977 and 1979. Pearse noted that the paperwork Tinubu filed with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) listed schools he had never attended.

The same interview saw Pearse accuse the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, of lying to the public. Pearse characterized the minister as working on behalf of the president and claimed that the president’s assertion of being a former student was a fabricated story of a professional crook.

Warning against election rigging

During the interview, Pearse also warned President Tinubu and INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan that any attempt to rig the 2027 general election would be exposed. He warned that Nigerians would reject a tampered election and that those attempting to manipulate it could lose their freedom as a consequence. Pearse added that the 2027 election would be different from past ones because voters are now more aware and determined to protect their votes.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain echoed this sentiment, urging Tinubu and Amupitan to remember that power belongs to the people and that the world is watching Nigeria. The chieftain also warned that any attempt to change results would be exposed.

Background

The controversy over Tinubu’s academic credentials resurfaced after the 2023 presidential election, when questions about his educational qualifications led to legal disputes. Pearse, who taught at Chicago State University between 1985 and 1990, claims to have been the director of the programme that Tinubu allegedly attended. He maintains that he has personal knowledge of the president’s academic records.

The Education Minister’s confirmation that Tinubu studied at Chicago State University between 1977 and 1979 stands in contrast to Pearse’s and fellow former lecturer Adedeji Doherty’s claims that the president never attended the institution.

Why it matters

The allegations could influence public perception ahead of the 2027 general election. If the claims are proven, they may affect the credibility of the president and the perceived integrity of the electoral process. The warnings about rigging also highlight concerns about the fairness of the upcoming election, a matter that has attracted international attention.

What happens next

No official response from the Education Ministry or INEC has been reported in the sources. The controversy remains unresolved, and the 2027 election is still scheduled to take place later in the year.