The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the public display of the personal particulars, academic credentials and other nomination documents submitted by candidates seeking election as President, senators and members of the House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections.
The exercise, which began on Saturday, August 1, 2026, is a statutory requirement under the Electoral Act, 2026, and is designed to give Nigerians an opportunity to scrutinise information supplied by candidates before the elections.
INEC said the documents are being displayed at its state offices and constituency offices, allowing members of the public, political parties, civil society organisations and the media to examine the information submitted during the nomination process.
Why INEC Is Publishing the Documents
The publication is not a new discretionary exercise by INEC. It is required by law.
Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026 provides that the Commission shall, within 21 days of receiving a candidate’s personal particulars, publish them in the constituency where the candidate intends to contest.
INEC said the publication is intended to strengthen transparency, accountability and public confidence in the electoral process.
The documents are contained in Form EC9, which contains candidates’ affidavits, credentials and other personal particulars submitted to the electoral commission.
What Information Is Contained in Form EC9?
The documents made available for public inspection can contain important information about each candidate, including:
- Full name;
- Gender;
- Date of birth;
- Residential address;
- Occupation;
- Educational qualifications;
- Schools attended;
- Academic certificates or qualifications declared;
- National Youth Service Corps information, where applicable;
- Employment and work history;
- Personal particulars and sworn declarations;
- Other information required as part of the nomination process.
The publication therefore gives members of the public an opportunity to compare candidates’ public claims with the information they formally submitted to INEC.
Tinubu’s Credentials Published
Among the presidential candidates whose particulars have attracted significant attention is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the Form EC9 details reported from the documents displayed by INEC, Tinubu declared a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University in the United States, awarded in 1979.
His submission also records his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service in Oyo State between December 1982 and November 1983.
His employment history included Mobil Nigeria Limited, where he worked from 1983 to 1992, followed by his political career, including his tenure as Lagos State governor and his service as President of Nigeria from 2023.
The displayed form records his date of birth as March 29, 1952. However, the form reportedly did not contain specific years for his primary and secondary school entries, which were recorded as “0000.”
What Shettima’s Documents Show
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu’s running mate and APC vice-presidential candidate, also had his particulars displayed.
His records contain details of his primary education at Lamisula I Primary School between 1972 and 1978.
His secondary education was at Government Secondary School, Potiskum, where his WAEC result was obtained in June 1983.
Shettima subsequently attended the University of Maiduguri, where he obtained a Second Class Upper Division degree in Agriculture in 1989. He later obtained a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.
His NYSC records show service between October 1989 and October 1990.
Atiku Abubakar’s Educational Details
The documents also put the educational and professional history declared by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar under public scrutiny.
According to the published particulars, Atiku’s educational history included his primary education and WASC qualification, while his records also show a Master’s degree in International Relations from Anglia Ruskin University obtained in 2020.
His work history includes his service with the Nigeria Customs Service between 1969 and 1989, as well as his tenure as Nigeria’s vice-president between 1999 and 2007.
Peter Obi’s Records Also Published
The particulars submitted by Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi were also among those made available for public scrutiny.
The documents reportedly show that Obi attended St Augustine’s Primary School in Anambra State and later Christ the King’s College, where he obtained his WASC certificate in 1978.
He subsequently obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1984.
Other Presidential Candidates Affected
The publication extends beyond the most prominent presidential contenders.
INEC’s exercise covers presidential candidates nominated by registered political parties, as well as candidates contesting Senate and House of Representatives seats.
Reports on the published documents identified, among others, the APC ticket of Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket of Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi, and the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The exercise should therefore not be interpreted as a publication limited to the three or four most prominent presidential contenders. It applies to candidates covered by the relevant nomination process.
Nigerians Can Challenge False Information
One of the most important aspects of the exercise is that public display provides an opportunity for scrutiny.
INEC has encouraged citizens, political parties, civil society groups and the media to examine the documents.
Where a person believes that a candidate supplied false information, forged documents or made a false declaration, the matter can be subjected to the appropriate legal process.
INEC has also indicated that members of the public may apply for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of nomination documents and seek legal redress where allegations of false declaration or forgery arise.
This means that the publication should not automatically be interpreted as INEC independently certifying every claim contained in a candidate’s submission. Rather, it is part of the statutory disclosure and scrutiny process.
Where Nigerians Can Inspect the Documents
INEC said the documents are available for public inspection at its offices.
The exercise is taking place at INEC state offices and relevant constituency offices across the country. In the Federal Capital Territory, the display commenced at the FCT headquarters and the six Area Council offices.
Members of the public who want to scrutinise a particular National Assembly candidate should therefore look toward the INEC office serving the relevant constituency.
When Will Governorship Candidates’ Credentials Be Published?
The August 1 exercise covers presidential and National Assembly candidates.
According to INEC’s revised timetable, the personal particulars of candidates contesting governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for publication on August 29, 2026.
This means Nigerians will have another major opportunity later in August to examine the credentials and particulars of candidates contesting state-level elections.
What This Means for the 2027 Election
The publication marks another important stage in Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general election.
It gives voters access to information that may otherwise remain within political parties and the electoral commission and allows questions about candidates’ educational, professional and personal declarations to be raised before the election.
For journalists and civil society organisations, the exercise also provides an opportunity to conduct independent fact-checking of candidates’ declarations.
For voters, it provides a basis for making better-informed decisions.
Most importantly, the process shifts part of the responsibility for electoral scrutiny from INEC alone to the wider public.
2027 Election Timeline
INEC’s official information currently lists the Presidential/House of Assembly election for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship/State House of Assembly election is listed for February 6, 2027.
However, the publication of candidate particulars is only one stage in the electoral process. The final candidate lists, campaign activities, possible withdrawals or substitutions, legal challenges and other statutory processes will continue to shape the field before election day.
Why the Exercise Matters
The publication of candidates’ credentials is significant because elections are not only about voting; they are also about ensuring that those seeking public office meet legal requirements and that the information presented to voters is subject to scrutiny.
INEC’s action therefore provides an important opportunity for Nigerians to ask questions, verify claims and report credible discrepancies through the appropriate channels.
With the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections approaching, the disclosure of candidates’ particulars is likely to generate renewed public debate over the educational records, professional histories and personal declarations of the people seeking to govern Nigeria and represent citizens in the National Assembly.
The key message from the electoral commission is clear: the documents have been opened to public scrutiny, and Nigerians now have a formal opportunity to examine what candidates submitted to INEC.
For an official reference, INEC’s official website is the best source to monitor subsequent candidate-list updates and election timetable changes.
