Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has authorised the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and other institutions he attended to release his academic records to members of the public who make legitimate requests within the limits of the law.
Obi made the disclosure on Tuesday following a legal challenge seeking access to his credentials.
He stated that candidates seeking the country’s highest political office should be prepared to subject their backgrounds and qualifications to public scrutiny.
The former Anambra State governor said he had no objection to the release of his academic records, provided any disclosure is made lawfully. He specifically requested that UNN make available, upon legitimate request, his academic certificates, records, and other official documents relating to his admission and studies at the university.
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The statement followed a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by Abayomi Arabambi against UNN and its Vice-Chancellor. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026 and filed on September 9, 2026, Arabambi asked the court to compel the university to respond to his request under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
Arabambi said he had requested a certified true copy of certificate number D000198, which he stated related to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy allegedly issued to Obi by UNN in 1984.
He also sought access to the academic records or other official documents on which the degree was based. Court documents indicate the request was made in July 2026, with a subsequent reminder.
Obi welcomed legitimate scrutiny of his educational background and challenged other presidential candidates to adopt a similar approach by making their academic qualifications and relevant records available for public examination. He argued that public scrutiny of candidates should be lawful, fair, and applied consistently, and that greater openness could strengthen public confidence and accountability.
The development forms part of a broader set of legal actions by Arabambi, who has also filed separate suits against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) seeking access to related records.
The Labour Party has distanced itself from Arabambi. The party stated that he is not a member, noting that he was among individuals previously suspended and that the decision had not been reversed.
Separately, the Peter Obi Media Office raised questions about reports that approximately 600 university academics had endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a statement signed by spokesperson Idris Zekeri Jnr., the media office noted that university academics have historically been engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for election duties, including as returning and collation officers.
The group argued that academics who publicly endorse political candidates could face questions about perceived neutrality if later appointed to sensitive electoral roles. It urged INEC to identify the academics involved, consider the implications for election duties, and publish the names of prospective returning and collation officers ahead of the 2027 election. It also called on university governing councils to strengthen rules on conflicts of interest and political activity among academic staff.
These concerns from the Peter Obi Media Office remain statements of opinion and requests. They have not established that the academics in question would be appointed as electoral officials or that any reported endorsement would affect the conduct of the 2027 election. No corresponding decision or action by INEC has been announced.
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