Former President Buhari
Former President Muhammadu Buhari revealed that he deliberately chose not to release his West African School Certificate (WASC) in the lead-up to the 2015 general elections. This disclosure, found in Chapter 5 of the book “Working with Buhari – Reflections of Special Adviser, Media & Publicity (2015–2023),” authored by his former media adviser, Femi Adesina, recounts Buhari’s school days and the political controversy surrounding his WASC certificate during the 2015 elections.
Buhari was quoted saying, “I was going through a drawer some days ago and saw copies of my certificate. I always had it but refused to release it, so that those venting spleen on it could please themselves.” Adesina further recalled a moment in November 2018 when the WAEC Registrar, accompanied by officials, presented the attestation certificate to Buhari.
Buhari defended his decision, stating, “It would have been impossible for me to attend the Defence Services Staff College, India (1973), and thereafter, the United States Army War College, as a Nigerian military officer if I didn’t sit for the WASC examinations in 1961.” He explained that military officers, including himself and Gen. Musa Yar’adua, underwent examinations in English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge, emphasizing the significance of these subjects in military training.