A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Alwan Hassan, has argued that academic qualifications alone should not be used to measure a person’s ability to lead, insisting that effective leadership is determined by performance rather than the number of degrees a politician holds.
Speaking during a television political programme, Hassan dismissed the belief that higher educational credentials automatically translate into better governance. He maintained that Nigeria’s political experience has shown that academic achievements do not necessarily produce exceptional leadership.
Using former President Goodluck Jonathan as an example, Hassan questioned the impact of his doctoral degree on the country’s development. He also referenced the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying his university education had not brought about the level of national transformation many expected.
Hassan further claimed that academic qualifications had not improved Obi’s communication abilities, while also arguing that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s educational background had not influenced his political judgment, particularly in deciding when to contest elections or step aside for another candidate.
The APC stalwart also criticised opposition parties for what he described as their continued focus on President Bola Tinubu’s academic records instead of presenting meaningful alternatives or constructive criticism of his administration’s policies.
Defending Tinubu against allegations surrounding his certificate from Chicago State University, Hassan insisted that the institution has never officially stated that the certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission was forged.
He added that the Nigerian Constitution only requires a candidate seeking the presidency to possess a school certificate or its equivalent, explaining that the provision simply establishes the ability to read and write.
Hassan maintained that the true measure of any leader should be the quality of governance and service delivered to the people, stressing that academic qualifications, on their own, are not enough to guarantee competent or successful leadership.
