The Nigerian political landscape has been ablaze with controversy over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's academic record from Chicago State University (CSU) in recent days. The request for these records came from Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25th election, as part of his appeal before the Supreme Court.

However, the issue of certificate forgery is not new in Nigeria, with several prominent politicians facing allegations. This article focuses on six Nigerian politicians entangled in certificate forgery claims.

1. **Bola Tinubu:** The issue of Tinubu’s certificate forgery surfaced during his first term as governor of Lagos State (1999-2003), raised by the late human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi. Ahead of the 2023 elections, this matter resurfaced when Tinubu omitted details about his primary and secondary education in the INEC form but claimed attendance at Chicago State University. Despite the controversy, Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election. Atiku continued to raise concerns, leading to CSU releasing a 32-page document containing Tinubu’s academic record.

2. **Muhammadu Buhari:** Former President Buhari faced a similar situation to Tinubu regarding issues with his secondary school certificate before the 2015 and 2019 elections. Online critics questioned Buhari's West African Secondary School Certificate and secondary school attendance. In response, WAEC issued an attestation certificate in 1961 confirming Buhari's secondary school certification.

3. **Dino Melaye:** Controversy surrounded Melaye’s certificate after Sahara Reporters claimed he did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and had forged his certificate. ABU's Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba, confirmed Melaye's graduation during the Senate's investigation.

4. **Kemi Adeosun:** Premium Times reported that Adeosun, a former Minister of Finance, allegedly forged her NYSC exemption certificate. Faced with pressure, Adeosun resigned on September 14, 2018.

5. **Peter Mbah:** The controversy over Enugu State governor's NYSC discharge certificate emerged in February 2023. The NYSC, in response to an inquiry, stated that it did not issue the certificate submitted to INEC by the Governor. Mbah filed a N20 billion case against NYSC, but DSS cleared him of the alleged forgery in July 2023, revealing the certificate was indeed issued to him in Lagos.

6. **Ademola Adeleke:** Osun State governor Adeleke faced accusations before the Osogbo High Court for allegedly falsifying his West African Senior School Certificate Examination results and secondary school testimonial. The Court of Appeal later cleared Adeleke, stating he possessed the required educational qualifications for the 2019 governorship election.