By Paul Joseph
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and other institutions he attended to make his academic records available for public scrutiny.
Obi made the call in a video obtained on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, amid a legal dispute over an alleged refusal by UNN to release documents relating to his academic history.
The former Anambra State governor specifically asked UNN to publish his admission documents, academic results from his first year through graduation, and other records contained in his file.
He also extended the challenge to international institutions where he undertook academic or professional programmes, including Lagos Business School, the London School of Economics, Columbia Business School, Kellogg School of Management, Harvard Business School, Oxford and Cambridge.
According to Obi, anyone seeking public office should be prepared to subject their background to thorough scrutiny.
He said: “I was informed that somebody wants to know about my certificate here at University of Nigeria Nsukka. He wants to know how I got admission.
“I’m actually going to tweet to say, please, I’m begging University of Nigeria Nsukka to make available every document that is in my file, or how I was admitted in the university, all my results from year one to final year.”
Obi maintained that public figures must be willing to demonstrate the standards expected of leaders by allowing their records to be examined.
“If you will seek a public life, you should subject yourself to public scrutiny because you’re a leader. You must exemplify the values that make the society work, especially for the younger ones,” he said.
He further challenged anyone who may have information about his records in Nigeria or abroad to make such information public.
“If I have an FBI file which I’m not aware of, or files in another country, this is time for them to bring it to the public,” Obi added.
Asked whether other presidential candidates should equally make their records public, Obi answered in the affirmative.
He said such scrutiny would allow candidates to explain any wrongdoing in their past and demonstrate that they had changed.
“Yes, because we want to know if there’s any place that I’ve done wrong, I’ll be the one to come and explain to people: I did this wrong yesterday, but I’ve changed.
“I committed this offence, but I’ve changed. Or if I’ve gone to jail and served my time, please forgive me,” he said.
The development comes days after suspended Labour Party member, Abayomi Arabambi, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja over UNN’s alleged failure to release Obi’s academic records.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026, was filed on September 9 by Arabambi’s lawyer, Anderson Asemota.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNN and the university were listed as the first and second respondents.
Arabambi is asking the court to compel the institution to provide certified copies of documents relating to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy allegedly awarded to Gregory Peter Onwubuasi Obi in 1984.
According to the originating motion and supporting affidavit, Arabambi requested on July 16 a Certified True Copy of Certificate Number D000198, said to have been issued in respect of Obi.
He also requested academic records and other official documents on which the alleged degree and certificate were based.
The applicant said the request was made under the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and was received by the respondents on August 6.
He alleged that UNN failed to provide the documents within the period prescribed by law and did not issue a written notice of refusal stating the specific provision of the Act relied upon to deny access.
Arabambi subsequently sent a reminder on August 31, which was reportedly received on September 1.
He is seeking 19 reliefs, including an order of mandamus compelling the respondents to respond to his Freedom of Information request in accordance with the law.
He is also asking the court to compel UNN to provide a Certified True Copy of Certificate Number D000198, if the certificate exists in its custody, possession or control.
Other documents sought include academic records, graduation and degree-award records, certificate-register entries, Senate or academic approval records, and other official documents relating to the alleged degree.
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