The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the Form EC9 personal particulars of all 19 presidential candidates and their running mates for the 2027 general election, making their academic qualifications and biographical details available for public scrutiny. The publication, which took place on Saturday, August 1, fulfills a statutory requirement under Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates the commission to display candidate information after receiving their nomination forms. This move allows citizens and interested parties to examine the submissions ahead of the official campaign period, set to commence on August 19, 2026.
Key Academic Records of Major Candidates
Among the prominent candidates whose credentials are now public are President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Peter Obi of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC). Each candidate's Form EC9 provides a detailed account of their educational history, from primary school to tertiary institutions, as well as other personal details.
Bola Tinubu (APC)
President Tinubu declared in his submission that he was born on March 29, 1952. He listed a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, obtained in 1979, and indicated that he completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) between December 1982 and November 1983. Notably, his form did not include details of his primary or secondary school education.
Kashim Shettima (APC)
Vice President Kashim Shettima's documents show he attended Lamisula I Primary School from 1972 to 1978 and sat for his West African School Certificate at Government Secondary School, Potiskum, in 1983. He went on to earn a Second Class Upper degree in Agriculture from the University of Maiduguri in 1989 and later a Master's degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.
Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi (ADC)
Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate, revealed that he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1954 and his West African School Certificate in 1961. He also declared a Master's degree in International Relations from Anglia Ruskin University, completed in 2020. His running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, was born on May 27, 1965, in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. Amaechi attended St. Theresa's Primary School from 1970 to 1976, obtained his West African Senior School Certificate from Government Secondary School, Okolobiri, in 1982, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Studies and Literature from the University of Port Harcourt in 1987, where he also served as president of the National Union of Rivers State Students. He later obtained a Bachelor of Laws and additional qualifications from Baze University, the Nigerian Law School, and King's College London.
Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso (NDC)
Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, attended St. Augustine's Primary School in Anambra before proceeding to Christ the King College, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1978. He declared a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, earned in 1984. His running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, was born on October 21, 1956, in Kano and is 69 years old. Kwankwaso's educational records show a Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering (Water Resources) obtained with Upper Credit from Kaduna Polytechnic in 1980. He also submitted his NYSC Certificate of National Service, confirming he completed mandatory national service between August 1, 1980, and July 31, 1981.
Other Candidates and Public Scrutiny
Donald Duke, the presidential candidate of the People's Redemption Party (PRP), submitted a bachelor's degree in law from Ahmadu Bello University, while Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC) presented a Master's degree in Public Administration from Columbia University in New York. The full list of 19 candidates and their running mates was published by INEC as required by law, opening the candidates to public scrutiny. According to The Punch, the presidential campaigns are set to begin on August 19, 2026. This publication is a critical step in ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process, allowing voters to make informed decisions based on the candidates' backgrounds and qualifications.
