Chicago State University (CSU) has confirmed that the certificate submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is valid.
This was according to the university’s registrar Caleb Westberg in an affidavit submitted to the Circuit Court off Cook County in Illinois, on July 24, 2023.
It confirmed the certificate and that of 1979 it presented to the President on graduation is valid.
The registrar deposed as follows:
Caleb Westberg, first being duly sworn, states that if called to testify in this matter, I am over eighteen years of age and could competently testify as to the facts contained herein, and do affirm as follows:
I am employed as the Registrar of Chicago State University and am authorized to submit this Affidavit on its behalf.
Chicago State University provided a diploma to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and subsequently provided a certified (or official) copy of that diploma. Both are valid and authentic diplomas of Chicago State University.
There are certain differences between the diploma and the certified copy because all diplomas are signed by the current President/Board Chair.
There are also differences in the font and seal on the diploma versus the certified copy because the University updated its font and seal after the diploma was issued.
The difference in the date of award on the diploma versus the certified copy is likely the result of human error. The graduation date on the certified copy is typed in manually by a person and can be inaccurate.
In the United States of America, institutions of higher education often consider the diploma to be a ceremonial document.
