Why was Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma cancelled? Who is he, how old is he, and which university did he attend?

Allegations regarding Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma have taken center stage. In a statement regarding the ongoing diploma investigation, Istanbul University stated, "It has been decided to cancel the lateral transfer decisions and the resulting graduations and diplomas of 28 people who graduated, including the person mentioned in the Research Report, on the grounds of 'non-existence' and 'obvious error'." Following this statement, questions regarding Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's educational background and why his diploma was cancelled have become a matter of public curiosity.

Starting his political career with the CHP Beylikdüzü District Presidency, İmamoğlu was elected Mayor of Beylikdüzü in the March 30, 2014 local elections. Nominated as the Nation Alliance's CHP candidate for Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor in 2019, İmamoğlu won the election and became the IMM Mayor. So, which university did Ekrem İmamoğlu graduate from, how old is he, and where is he from? Here is his biography and the details regarding the matter...

WAS EKREM İMAMOĞLU'S DIPLOMA CANCELLED?

Istanbul University announced that the diplomas of 28 people, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, have been cancelled.

WHY WAS EKREM İMAMOĞLU'S DIPLOMA CANCELLED?

A written statement was issued by Istanbul University. The statement included the following:

'With the decision numbered 3 taken at the 61st meeting of our University Board of Directors dated March 18, 2025; in accordance with the report prepared by the Investigation Commission appointed at our University within the framework of the findings in the “Research Report” dated 17.02.2025 and numbered E-68918934-663.08[2024/519-04-R]-12 of the Higher Education Supervisory Board, which was attached to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's investigation numbered 2025/44681 dated 24.02.2025, it has been decided to revoke and cancel the lateral transfer decisions of 10 people whose registrations were deleted out of 38 people who made irregular lateral transfers to our University's Faculty of Business Administration English program in 1990, contrary to the decisions of the Council of Higher Education and the requirements of the legislation; and to revoke and cancel the lateral transfer decisions and the resulting graduations and diplomas of the remaining 28 people who graduated, including the person mentioned in the “Research Report” of the Higher Education Supervisory Board, on the grounds of “non-existence” and “obvious error”; and to continue the examinations and research regarding lateral transfers made in all faculties of our University and to subsequently carry out the necessary work and procedures. The decision taken and all information and documents forming the basis of this decision will be immediately sent to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).'

WHO IS EKREM İMAMOĞLU?

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was born on June 3, 1971, in the Akçaabat district of Trabzon. İmamoğlu, who is 53 years old, has been serving as the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality since 2019 and has also assumed the position of President of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye as of 2024.

WHICH SCHOOL DID EKREM İMAMOĞLU ATTEND?

Graduating from Trabzon High School, Ekrem İmamoğlu completed his undergraduate education at the Istanbul University Department of Business Administration in English. He completed his master's degree in Human Resources Management at the same university.

EKREM İMAMOĞLU BIOGRAPHY

Ekrem İmamoğlu served as an executive at Trabzonspor Football Club, Trabzonspor Basketball Club, and Beylikdüzüspor Club. Starting to work in his family business during his master's studies in 1992, İmamoğlu later took over the management of the group companies and carried out housing and urban planning projects.

Joining the Republican People's Party (CHP) in 2009, İmamoğlu played an active role in the Beylikdüzü district organization and subsequently assumed the position of CHP Beylikdüzü District President. He was elected Mayor of Beylikdüzü in the March 30, 2014 local elections.

Competing as the Nation Alliance's CHP candidate for Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor in the 2019 local elections, İmamoğlu won the elections and became the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. He was re-elected in the 2024 local elections and continued his duty. In the same year, he was appointed as the President of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye.

Ekrem İmamoğlu is married and a father of three children.