FACT CHECK: Tinubu’s Claim of Being Classmates with Alexander Zingman, Gun-Runner Arrested in DRC, is False

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent claim of being classmates with Belarusian businessman Alexander Zingman at Chicago State University (CSU) has been brought under scrutiny, with verifiable evidence proving the claim to be false.

TJ News Nigeria reports that academic records, timelines, and documented arrests contradict Tinubu’s assertion, raising questions about the motives behind such misleading statements.

Verifiable Facts Disprove Tinubu’s Statement

1. Different Universities Entirely

• Bola Tinubu attended Chicago State University (CSU) between 1977 and 1979, graduating with a degree in Accounting.
• Alexander Zingman attended a completely different institution—the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)—from 1991 to 1995, where he earned a master’s degree in Business Marketing.
• CSU and UIC are two distinct universities with no academic affiliation.

2. The Timeline Makes It Impossible

• Tinubu, born in 1952, is 73 years old.
• Zingman, born in 1966, is 58 years old.
• When Tinubu graduated from CSU in 1979, Zingman was only 12 years old, still a child in Belarus.

3. No Academic or Social Connection

• Records confirm that Zingman never attended Chicago State University, meaning the two could not have been classmates under any circumstances.

Who Is Alexander Zingman?

Alexander Zingman is not just any businessman. He is widely reported to be a Belarusian arms dealer with strong connections to authoritarian regimes across Africa and Eastern Europe.

Arrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

In March 2021, Zingman was arrested in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, after a secretive meeting with former Congolese President Joseph Kabila.

According to Daily Maverick and News Central Africa, Zingman’s arrest:

• Sparked intense diplomatic pressure from Belarus, Zimbabwe, and the United Arab Emirates.
• Allegedly involved offers to broker arms deals in conflict regions.
• Highlighted Zingman’s deep connections to controversial leaders, including Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa and former Zambian President Edgar Lungu.

Attempt to Silence Media Exposure

Zingman threatened to sue Zambia’s News Diggers newspaper after it published images showing him in company with:

• President Edgar Lungu
• Russian arms dealer Alexander Mikheev, head of Rosoboronexport
• Senior Zambian military officials

Despite these threats, News Diggers stood firm, daring Zingman to pursue legal action, which he later abandoned.

Read the full investigative report via:
🔗 Alleged arms dealer Lungu’s ally Alexander Zingman arrested in DRC
🔗 Alleged Gun Runner Alexander Zingman Arrested in DRC

Why Tinubu’s Statement Matters

For a sitting Nigerian President to publicly claim association with a figure of international controversy raises serious ethical and diplomatic concerns:

• Was the false classmate claim intended to legitimize dealings with Zingman?
• Why align with a businessman accused of brokering arms in conflict regions?

Given the background, Tinubu’s misleading statement not only undermines his credibility but also potentially compromises Nigeria’s diplomatic posture.

Conclusion

The evidence is clear and indisputable:

• Bola Tinubu and Alexander Zingman were never classmates.
• Zingman has a verifiable history of arms-related controversies and questionable dealings in Africa.
• The connection drawn by Tinubu is false and misleading.

As this investigation unfolds, TJ News Nigeria remains committed to fact-checking public officials and holding leaders accountable for their words and actions.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Did Bola Tinubu and Alexander Zingman attend the same university?

No. Bola Tinubu attended Chicago State University (CSU), graduating in 1979. Alexander Zingman studied at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) from 1991 to 1995. These are two different universities with no affiliation.

2. Is Alexander Zingman connected to arms deals in Africa?

Yes. Multiple credible reports, including Daily Maverick and News Diggers, have linked Alexander Zingman to controversial arms deals in countries like Zambia and Zimbabwe. He was arrested in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2021 after a meeting with former president Joseph Kabila.

3. Why did Tinubu claim to be classmates with Zingman?

The reason for Tinubu’s claim is unknown, but factual evidence disproves it. The two men never attended the same school, nor were they contemporaries in age or education.

4. Has Alexander Zingman been charged with a crime?

As of now, no formal charges have been publicly confirmed following his 2021 arrest in the DRC. However, his name continues to surface in reports of controversial military and arms-related dealings.

5. Where can I read more about Zingman’s arrest?

You can read more in these detailed reports:

• ➔ Alleged arms dealer Lungu’s ally Alexander Zingman arrested in DRC
• ➔ Alleged Gun Runner Alexander Zingman Arrested in DRC