Tinubu’s “Classmate” Claim Raises Eyebrows: Who Really Is Alex Zingman?

A curious wave of skepticism has emerged online following Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent reference to “Alex,” his alleged classmate from Chicago State University. The comment, made during a public event and later shared in a video by Channels Television, has sparked intense scrutiny, particularly around the identity of the man Tinubu was referring to—widely believed to be Belarusian businessman Alexander Zingman.

The Alleged Connection

In the now-viral video clip, President Tinubu introduced Alexander Zingman as his old classmate from Chicago State University (CSU), stating, “Chicago University will be proud of us.” However, internet sleuths were quick to point out glaring inconsistencies in that narrative.

Zingman, born in November 1966, would be 58 years old in 2025. Tinubu, on the other hand, is 73 years old and has long maintained that he graduated from CSU in 1979. That would have made Zingman just 13 years old at the time of Tinubu’s graduation—far too young to have been his classmate by any standard.

Background on Zingman

Alexander Zingman is a Belarusian businessman known for his involvement in agricultural equipment and infrastructure projects across Africa. His educational background includes a degree in robotics engineering from the Belarusian National Polytechnic University (1985–1989) and a master’s in business marketing from the University of Illinois, Chicago (1991–1995).

This timeline further challenges Tinubu’s claim. Zingman never studied at Chicago State University, and the institutions and years of attendance don’t overlap with Tinubu’s supposed time at CSU. Additionally, there are no public records confirming Zingman’s attendance at the event where Tinubu made the statement.

Public Reactions and Questions

The contradiction has raised questions about either a mistaken identity or a political faux pas. A post from the account “Grok” on X (formerly Twitter) noted that the identity of “Alex” remains unclear, though Zingman is a possible candidate due to his African business ties. Still, no verifiable link supports the narrative of a shared university experience between the two men.

Critics have expressed concern that such an easily disprovable claim by a sitting president could fuel broader debates around transparency and credibility. As one commenter put it, “How on God’s earth was 13-year-old Alex Zingman Tinubu’s classmate?”

Conclusion

Until more concrete evidence is presented, the mystery of “Alex” remains unresolved. Whether a slip of memory, mistaken identity, or something more calculated, the issue is yet another moment of controversy in President Tinubu’s already scrutinized educational history. For now, the internet isn’t buying it—and neither are the records.