Former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung voluntarily posted his academic records, including his 1990 West African Education Council (WAEC) certificate, Certificate of Call to the Bar, and Bachelor of Law and Master of Laws certificates from the University of Jos, on social media.
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Solomon Dalung has explained why he posted his certificates on social media. Photo: Tribune[/caption]
He shared his credentials in response to the ongoing controversies surrounding academic credentials in Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar had sued the President,
alleging that Tinubu forged his Chicago State University (CSU) certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Dalung mentioned that this situation has made anyone with a certificate in Nigeria a subject of suspicion.
Dalung expressed his respect for President Bola Tinubu and emphasized that he wasn't mocking him over the certificate issue.
He stated that the President's team has mismanaged the issue, which has inadvertently exacerbated the problem.
Dalung criticized the President's handlers, suggesting that they have been adding complexity to the issue through their actions and statements.
He believes that the more they talk, the more they introduce new issues that are exploited to put more pressure on the President,
Channels TV reports.
Asked what the rationale was behind the post, he said, “I voluntarily made my credentials available for public scrutiny.
The reason behind this decision stems from the ongoing intense international and national brouhaha surrounding the issue of academic credentials in Nigeria.
“The President of Nigeria and his political allies are going from one court to another in America and Nigeria regarding their credentials. Now, what is going on has made everyone in Nigeria who owns a certificate a suspect.”
“I have also put my certificate out publicly. If anyone is not satisfied, they can also go to court to compel the University of Jos to release my transcript.”
The lawyer stated that though he had respect for Tinubu and was not mocking him over the certificate issue, he believed the President’s team not only mismanaged the issue but inadvertently exacerbated the problem.
“I have a lot of respect for the President. I don’t envy him with whatever he is going through with this certificate thing. I think it is being mismanaged by his handlers. Those who are creating more problems of this issue are his handlers,” he said.
“The more they talk, the more they introduce new issues that people capitalise on to add more burden on the President. This affects the President directly.”
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