Amidst the ongoing debate regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s academic history, a statement has emerged from a fellow alumnus, Durojaiye Ogunsanya, asserting that both he and Tinubu graduated from Chicago State University (CSU) in 1979.
This development comes as political opponents have raised questions about Tinubu’s educational credentials, with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, a major contender in the 2023 Presidential election, even filing a lawsuit in an American court demanding proof of Tinubu’s academic record from CSU.
Ogunsanya, a Public Affairs Analyst, shared his recollections on TVC’s ‘This Morning’ program, confirming that he and Nigeria’s president were indeed alumni of CSU and graduated together from the Department of Accounting and Business Administration in 1979.
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Ogunsanya elaborated, stating, “We both attended Chicago State University, where we pursued degrees in the College of Accounting, Business and Administration, majoring in accounting. We were classmates throughout our time there and graduated together in 1979. I can affirm that he attended the university and was a diligent student.”
Addressing the skepticism surrounding Tinubu’s educational background, Ogunsanya commented, “Some individuals have been mischievous in their claims. It’s worth noting that he served as a governor for eight years and worked for Mobil for several years. To assert that he did not attend university appears improbable. While it’s possible that some of his statements may have been embellished, it doesn’t negate the fact that he attended the university. The records are available for verification.”
Reflecting on his own educational journey in the United States, Ogunsanya shared, “I initially began my studies in engineering and nautical engineering before switching to a different college. The beauty of the American education system is that it offers opportunities for everyone. You can start from scratch and work your way up. There’s an option to earn a high school GED, and once you pass the exam, you can apply to junior college for two years before transferring your credits to a four-year university.”
Ogunsanya continued, “I believe that’s what the President did. He began at Richard J College and later transferred his credits to a four-year university. I took a similar path, starting at a different junior college and eventually transferring to Chicago State University, where I crossed paths with him. One of our professors introduced us, recognizing that we were both from Nigeria. We later became members of the Accounting Society, and during elections, to everyone’s surprise, he was elected as the club’s president in 1978/79 despite his distinctive Nigerian accent. These are verifiable facts, and I encourage anyone to investigate them. He was socially adept and ambitious even in those early years, which is why his subsequent success does not surprise me.”
In light of Ogunsanya’s testimony, the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s academic background is likely to persist as the public awaits further evidence and verification.
