Tinubu Is First Internationally-Exposed President With First-Class – Alausa

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has described President Bola Tinubu as “literally a genius,” claiming that the Nigerian leader is the first internationally exposed president to have studied in the United States and graduated with a first-class degree in Accounting from Chicago State University.

Alausa said Tinubu’s academic background and international exposure had equipped him with the knowledge and leadership capacity to address Nigeria’s challenges and drive national development.

The minister made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, where he defended the president’s academic credentials and leadership record ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Responding to questions about Tinubu’s academic qualifications, Alausa dismissed controversies surrounding the president’s educational history, describing criticisms from the opposition as baseless.

He said his personal experience of living and working in the United States, particularly in Chicago, had given him familiarity with the institution Tinubu reportedly attended.

“I studied in America and worked in America. I know the importance of research. This president is also the first internationally exposed president, the president that studied in America, that had first class in Accounting,” he said.

Alausa further claimed that he was familiar with Chicago State University, having lived in the city for almost 30 years, and had met several people he identified as Tinubu’s former classmates.

“I know the university, Chicago State University. Forget the nonsense oppositions are peddling. That’s debatable. I’m telling you hardcore facts.

“I lived in Chicago for almost 30 years. I’ve been to that university so many times. You met his classmates? Oh, many, many, many, in person, many,” the minister said.

Asked whether Tinubu was brilliant, Alausa responded: “Oh, he’s a genius. Let’s not talk about the capability of this president alone. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is literally a genius.”

The minister also defended the administration’s performance, arguing that Tinubu’s leadership had begun transforming Nigeria from what he described as a moribund country into a growing economy.

He said several challenges facing the country were being addressed through the president’s forward-looking policies, particularly in the area of research and development.

According to him, Tinubu recognises the importance of research funding and has prioritised efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s research ecosystem through proposed legislation.

Alausa disclosed that the administration was working towards establishing a dedicated funding arrangement that would provide an annual first-line charge of nearly $500 million for research and development.

He said the proposed funding would support the commercialisation of research findings, create employment opportunities and provide solutions to challenges in critical sectors, including healthcare, education, infrastructure and agriculture.

“For the first time, this president found, by the time we finish, the president signs the Act, the Act will be announced, this president found a first-line charge of almost $500 million year over year that will unleash into the research ecosystem in Nigeria,” he said.

The minister explained that the initiative was designed to move research beyond academic institutions and ensure that scientific discoveries and innovations translated into practical solutions capable of improving livelihoods.

He, however, clarified that the proposed legislation was still undergoing the legislative process and had not yet become law.

Alausa said the bill was at its third reading stage, commending the leadership of the National Assembly for prioritising its passage.

He specifically acknowledged Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele for supporting the legislative process.

“This is not a reality. I just told you, the bill is undergoing the third reading, and the Senate President, which I am so grateful for, the Speaker, Mr Speaker of the House, which I am so grateful for, and the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, are prioritising this,” he said.