Chicago State University releases statement on Tinubu’s student records

Chicago State University, or CSU, has officially confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu attended the institution and graduated in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree. This confirmation was communicated in a statement issued by the university to CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly known as CBS News.

In their statement, the university acknowledged that, as an educational institution, they are occasionally asked to provide information regarding student records. However, they clarified that there is a federal law, known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which safeguards the privacy of student records and restricts what an institution can publicly disclose.

The statement further explained that in August 2023, a request was made to the U.S. federal court for the university to furnish information related to educational records concerning Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria and a former CSU student. The university has complied with this request by confirming Tinubu’s attendance at CSU and his graduation in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree. Nonetheless, federal law prohibits them from disclosing any additional information without consent or a court order.

CSU expressed confidence in the accuracy and integrity of their records regarding Tinubu’s completion of graduation requirements and degree certificate. They emphasized that the university is not involved in the Nigerian legal proceedings that triggered this request, and the decision to provide further requested information will be determined by a U.S. federal judge.

The university reiterated that their response to the request for Tinubu’s academic records aligns entirely with their established practices, policies, and federal laws. They emphasized that they would respond in the same manner to any request for student information from a third party.