Solomon Dalung, the former Minister of Sports and Youth, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the way President Bola Tinubu’s certificate controversy is being handled by his aides. He believes that Tinubu’s handlers have not managed the situation effectively, allowing critics to find more flaws in the saga.
During a live appearance on Channels Television’s breakfast program, Sunrise Daily, on Tuesday, the former minister shared his perspective on why he posted his academic records on social media. Many interpreted this move as a reference to the ongoing controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s academic records.
Dalung’s actions came amid ongoing demands for the release of Tinubu’s certificate by the Chicago State University (CSU), as mandated by a U.S. court, to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In his social media posts on Saturday, Dalung shared his 1990 West African Education Council (WAEC) certificate, Certificate of Call to the Bar, as well as his Bachelor of Law and Master of Laws certificates, both obtained from the University of Jos.
“I am an alumni of the University of Jos, Nigeria. I surrender my academic records for public scrutiny…,” he wrote.
Asked what the rationale was behind the post, he said, “I voluntarily made my credentials available for public scrutiny. The reason behind this decision stems from the ongoing intense international and national brouhaha surrounding the issue of academic credentials in Nigeria.
“The President of Nigeria and his political allies are going from one court to another in America and Nigeria regarding their credentials. Now, what is going on has made everyone in Nigeria who owns a certificate a suspect.”
“I have also put my certificate out publicly. If anyone is not satisfied, they can also go to court to compel the University of Jos to release my transcript.”
Speaking about the president’s certificate saga, Dalung said, “I have a lot of respect for the President. I don’t envy him with whatever he is going through with this certificate thing. I think it is being mismanaged by his handlers. Those who are creating more problems of this issue are his handlers.
“The more they talk, the more they introduce new issues that people capitalize on to add more burden on the President. This affects the President directly.”
