ZINGMAN: Tinubu’s alleged attempt to prove Chicago University ‘certificate’ sparks fresh controversies, as Atiku tells him something

By KEMI KASUMU

Atiku also raised fresh concerns over Tinubu’s association with Zingman, citing multiple international media reports linking the businessman to questionable transactions in Africa’s mining sector and arms trade.

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s claim that Belarusian businessman, Alexander Zingman, was his schoolmate at Chicago State University (CSU).

Tinubu made the remark on Monday during the launch of the Renewed Hope Mechanisation Programme in Abuja, where he referred to Zingman as a “very good friend” and “neighbour” during his time at CSU.

“My dear very good friend, the story must be clear here. Alex Zingman, how are you? Thank you and congratulations,” he said.

“To all of you, Alex was my very good neighbour and went to the same school with me in Chicago.

“Never did we dream that I would be in this position as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that Alex will be a successful businessman from Belarus to bring about a very successful collaboration and bilateral relationship that would promote economic prosperity for the future of our two countries.

“I believe our university will be very proud that we are doing this here today.”

Although a Court of Appeal in America, despite being at the instance of Bola Tinubu, had resolved the authenticity question regarding the certificate forgery allegation against the Nigerian President, the attempt by him to make right what the US court’s deposition showed as wrong has backfired.

Recall that the Chicago State University was ordered in 2023 by an appellate court in the United States, which validated a lower court judgment on the release of Tinubu’s academic records, not only to release the records to the application but also ensured deposition to same before the honourable court.

Applicant in the case was Atiku Abubakar, who needed the records to pursue a petition appeal before the Supreme Court of Nigeria against Tinubu’s election as president of the country, saying he was not fit to be president as he committed certificate forgery, allegedly, then.

By the verdict of the US court, which was the only country to hear such a matter, the court judgment resolved thus making the issue of certificate forgery against the president no longer an allegation, especially as a Certified True Copy (CTC) to the effect was reportedly issued to the applicant, who presented same before the Nigeria’s apex court but was turned down on the ground, mainly, that it was late.

Reacting to Tinubu’s claim of Alexander Zingman as his friend in Chicago State University, from where he had claimed in his submission to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to have graduated in 1979, Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 election, raised some questions the president is generally expected to answer.

Atiku said Alex was 13 when you graduated from Chicago State University in 1979 as claimed by Tinubu and demanded that Nigerians needed to know how and why.

He also wanted to know how, according to Tinubu, a school founded in 1972 could issue him a certificate dated 1970 except that he was a lone prophet of a school yet unborn.

In a statement issued by Atiku’s media office on Tuesday June 24, 2025, the former vice president described the Tinubu’s comment as “highly questionable”, pointing out that Alexander Zingman would have been too young to attend university at the time Tinubu claimed to have studied at Chicago State University in the United States of America.

Atiku also raised fresh concerns over Tinubu’s association with Zingman, citing multiple international media reports linking the businessman to questionable transactions in Africa’s mining sector and arms trade.

“Mr. Alex Zingman, a Belarusian businessman whose name features prominently in controversial dealings across Africa — including allegations of arms trafficking and financial improprieties in Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo — is listed in various reports as being born in 1966,” the statement reads.

“By the year 1979, when President Tinubu claims to have graduated from CSU, Mr. Zingman would have been only 13 years old.

“Are we now to believe that the Guinness Book of Records missed the story of a 13-year-old Belarusian prodigy graduating from an American university alongside Bola Ahmed Tinubu?”

Atiku also challenged the president to explain how he reportedly presented a certificate dated 1970 from Government College, Lagos, an institution founded in 1972, to gain admission into Richard Daley College in 1973.

“Mr. President, Nigerians deserve to know why you have not proudly unveiled a single verifiable classmate from your supposed years in Government College, Lagos or Government College, Ibadan or Chicago State University, the way other leaders do with ease and pride,” the statement reads.

“Mr. President, your oath of office binds you not just to protect our nation but to honour its truth. The Presidency is not a sanctuary for secrets — it is a platform for integrity. And as such, Nigerians await not tales of Alexes from distant lands but proof, clarity, and the simple dignity of facts.”