The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has asked the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), to release his academic records following a legal action instituted by Labour Party chieftain, Abayomi Arabambi, over the alleged refusal of the institution to provide certified copies of documents relating to Obi’s academic credentials.
Obi, in a statement posted on X on Tuesday, said he had no objection to the release of his academic records, including his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, which he said was awarded by UNN in 1984.
His statement comes days after Arabambi filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order compelling UNN and its Vice-Chancellor to release certified copies of Obi’s academic records.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026, was filed on September 9 through Arabambi’s lawyer, Anderson Asemota.
Arabambi had told the court that he wrote to UNN on July 16, 2026, requesting a Certified True Copy (CTC) of Certificate No. D000198, which he said was issued to Obi in respect of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy in 1984.
He also requested the university’s existing academic and institutional records relating to the degree, including the certificate register, academic records, graduation or degree-award records, and relevant Senate or academic approval records.
According to court documents, Arabambi made the request under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, but alleged that UNN neither supplied the requested records nor issued a written notice explaining the legal basis for refusing the request.
He subsequently sent a reminder on August 31, which he said was received by the university on September 1.
Arabambi is asking the court for, among other reliefs, an order of mandamus compelling UNN to provide the requested records if they are in its custody, possession or control.
The UNN case is part of a wider legal challenge by Arabambi concerning Obi’s educational and service records.
The Labour Party chieftain has also instituted separate suits against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), seeking access to records relating to certificates allegedly issued to Obi.
The WAEC suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2064/2026, was filed on September 1, while the NYSC case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2063/2026, was filed the same day.
In the WAEC case, Arabambi is seeking a CTC of Certificate No. SC042560, reportedly issued to Obi Gregory Onwubuase in June 1978. In the NYSC case, he is seeking records relating to Certificate No. 203495, stated to have been issued to “Obi, Gregory Peter-Onwubuase” on May 1, 1986.
Arabambi has maintained that his suits are not asking the court to determine whether the certificates submitted by Obi to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 presidential election are genuine or forged.
Rather, he said he was seeking access to the institutions’ original records to establish what their official registers and databases contain concerning the certificates and the records upon which they were issued.
Responding to the development, Obi said he had “absolutely no objection” to the release of his academic records.
“I wish to state clearly that I have absolutely no objection to the release of these records,” Obi said.
He specifically called on UNN to make his academic certificates, records and other official documents relating to his admission and studies available whenever there was a legitimate request and within the limits permitted by law.
“I respectfully request that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, within the limits permitted by law, make available, upon legitimate request, my academic certificates, records, and other official documents relating to my admission and studies at the University,” he said.
Obi further said other educational institutions he attended, both within and outside Nigeria, could release his records in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
He said he believed in transparency and accountability, particularly for individuals seeking public office, but stressed that public scrutiny should be conducted fairly and lawfully.
“I believe strongly in transparency and accountability, particularly for those who seek the privilege of public office. Public scrutiny must, however, be fair, lawful, and applied consistently to everyone who seeks to lead our nation,” he said.
The NDC presidential candidate said he welcomed legitimate public interest in his background, qualifications, and record as he seeks the trust of Nigerians ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“As a presidential candidate seeking the trust of Nigerians to lead our country, I welcome legitimate public interest in my background, qualifications, and record. I am prepared to subject myself to the level of scrutiny that should reasonably be expected of anyone seeking the highest office in our country,” he said.
Obi also challenged other presidential aspirants to make their educational qualifications and relevant records available for public scrutiny.
“I encourage every presidential candidate to make their educational qualifications and relevant records available for legitimate public scrutiny,” he said.
According to him, such scrutiny should not be treated as an attack but as an avenue for strengthening public confidence in candidates seeking political office.
“Doing so should not be regarded as an inconvenience or an attack. Rather, it is an opportunity to strengthen public confidence, promote accountability, and rebuild the trust of Nigerians in those who seek to govern them,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor said leadership should reflect the values expected of the society Nigerians seek to build, including transparency, integrity and accountability, as well as respect for institutions.
“I therefore welcome the scrutiny of my academic background and remain committed to the principle that those who ask Nigerians for their trust must also be willing to earn that trust through openness and accountability,” Peter Obi said.
Credit: Nigerian Tribune