An X user, @LPLagosMedia, has claimed that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in Nigeria’s 2023 general election, has a doctorate degree.
The X user claimed that despite possessing a doctorate and other honours, the former governor decided to identify himself as a mere trader due to his simplicity.
READ: Is Peter Obi the first presidential candidate to give an account of his campaign expenses?
He posted thus:
“He’s a titled chief, but he doesn’t use the title. He has a Doctorate, but he doesn’t use the prefix ‘Dr’. He’s a Knight, but he doesn’t use the “Sir.” title. He’s His Excellency, but he doesn’t use the H.E. prefix. He is a Commander of the Order of the Niger, but he doesn’t use the suffix CON. He’s a billionaire, but he treats everyone with respect, regardless of class or age. He’s a Bank Boss and an astute business mogul, but he addresses himself as a trader. What manner of man is this? Despite all his noble laurels, he just goes by the name Mr. “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” God bless Mr. Peter Obi”(sic).”
The claim has generated more than 180,000 views with over 2,200 reposts and more than 5,500 likes as of May 6, 2024.
CLAIM
Peter Obi has a doctorate degree.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.
Our fact-checker ran a search on the internet but could not find anything on Peter Obi where he bagged a doctorate degree academically or was honoured with one.
A doctorate is the highest level of academic degree awarded by universities and institutions.
Ugbojiaku Chidimma, in a LinkedIn article, noted that doctorate, commonly known as a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), represents a significant academic achievement obtained through extensive research in a specific field.
“This rigorous process entails years of dedicated study, research, and completing a substantial doctoral dissertation. Earning a doctorate signifies high expertise, specialization, and a deep commitment to advancing knowledge within a particular discipline.
“In contrast, honorary doctorate degrees are those bestowed upon individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society or achieved remarkable success in their respective fields. These honorary degrees do not require recipients to fulfil the typical academic requirements of a doctoral program.
“Honorary doctorate degrees allow universities and institutions to recognize and celebrate individuals for their outstanding achievements, leadership, philanthropy, or significant societal contributions. They serve as a mark of distinction and are intended to honour recipients’ accomplishments and positive impact on the world,” she wrote.
This was further explained in another article by Farooq Kperogi which was published by Daily Trust in 2012.
Therefore, based on public record, Peter Obi’s highest qualification is a Bachelor’s degree which he acquired at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1984. He obtained his secondary school certificate from Chris the King College, Onitsha in Anambra State.
The FactCheckHub reviewed Peter Obi’s public record on the Labour Party’s website and in his manifesto and we found out that he bagged several awards and honours which include Sun Newspaper’s Man of the Year (2007), ThisDay Newspaper’s Most Prudent Governor in Nigeria (2009), West Africa ICT Development Award for Governor of the Year (2010), Zik Leadership Prize (2011) but there was no mention of a doctorate on the record.
In 2018, a newspaper publication listed Obi as one of the dignitaries to be conferred with an honorary doctorate by Gregory University Uturu at its 3rd convocation ceremony. However, a subsequent report after the event revealed that Obi was not among the people who were conferred with the honour at the ceremony.
The people who were honoured at the ceremony are former lawmaker, Mao Ohuabunwa; veteran highlife music maestro and leader of Oriental Brothers International Band, Ferdinand Opara; former Assistant Police Commissioner, Chioma Ajunwa-Opara; the then President General of Peoples Club of Nigeria, Innocent Ekeh; and Managing Director of Urban Radio FM, Enugu, Chike Madueke.
When The FactCheckHub contacted the spokesperson of the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), Yunusa Tanko, he confirmed that Obi does not have a doctorate degree. He, however, said that Obi turned down offers from various universities who wanted to honour him with the degree.
THE VERDICT
The claim that Peter Obi has a doctorate degree is FALSE; findings showed that he neither earned the academic doctorate nor possessed its honourary version.
Nurudeen Akewushola is a fact-checker with FactCheckHub. He has authored several fact checks which have contributed to the fight against information disorder. You can reach him via [email protected] and @NurudeenAkewus1 via Twitter.
