Three years after the 10th National Assembly was inaugurated on June 13, 2023, Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin has emerged as its most prolific lawmaker. Records from the Senate show that the Kano North senator has sponsored 42 bills between June 13, 2023, and June 13, 2026. Five have already been passed into law, including the North West Development Commission Act and the Federal University of Science and Technology Kabo (Establishment) Act. In a political era where bill sponsorship is often low, “Maliya” as he is fondly called, is raising the bar, reports Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Our Managing Editor.
The numbers tell the story. According to The Parliamentarian Magazine a publication of his media office released to mark the 10th Senate’s third anniversary, Senator Barau sponsored 13 bills in 2023, nine in 2024, 17 in 2025, and 3 so far in 2026. That totals 42 private member bills in 36 months.
A press release signed by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, confirmed the feat. “Sponsoring forty-two bills in three years is, without doubt, a colossal legislative feat,” Mudashir stated. He added that Barau has always been known for raising the bar in every endeavour he undertakes.
The 10th National Assembly was inaugurated on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proclamation. As Deputy Senate President, Barau’s primary duty is to support the Senate President in providing leadership for the chamber. Yet he has matched that responsibility with heavy legislative output.
Of the 42 bills, five have been passed. They are the North West Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, National Identity Management Commission (Repeal & Enactment) Bill, Agricultural Research Council Act (Amendment) Bill, Federal Medical Centre, Gwarzo, Kano State (Establishment) Bill, and Federal University of Science and Technology Kabo (Establishment) Bill.
Mudashir said the bills cut across multiple sectors. From education and health to industry, the economy, constitutional amendment, governance, and development, Barau’s legislative agenda touches the core areas affecting Nigerians daily.
2023 set the tone. In that year alone, Barau sponsored 13 bills. They included the Development Planning and Project Continuity Bill, In-Vitro Fertilisation Bill, Cybercrimes (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, and Explosives Act (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill. He also pushed three Constitution Alteration Bills in his first year.
Education and institutions dominated his early bills. He sponsored bills to establish Federal Polytechnic Kabo, Federal University of Education Bichi, Federal College of Education Jamare, and Federal University of Agriculture Danbatta. For Kano North, this meant new federal institutions and access to tertiary education.
In 2024, the pace continued with nine bills. Key among them were the Government Performance and Accountability Bill, National Assembly Budget and Research Office (Establishment) Bill, and the Renewable Energy Bill. He also moved to repeal and re-enact the NIMC Act and amend the Agricultural Research Council Act.
Health and safety were not left out. The Federal Medical Centre, Gwarzo, Kano State (Establishment) Bill, 2024, and the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, 2024, showed a focus on public welfare and worker protection. The Maitama Sule Federal University of Education Bill also followed.
2025 was Barau’s busiest year with 17 bills. The list included the E-Health Bill, Nigeria Cooperative Societies Act (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, and Armed Forces Comfort Fund Act (Amendment) Bill. He also targeted emerging issues with the Cryptocurrency Prohibition and Regulation Bill and Virtual Asset and Service Providers Bill.
Constitutional amendment remained a priority. In 2025 alone, he sponsored six Constitution Alteration Bills, SB.784 to SB.907. Other notable bills were the Nigeria First (Manufacturing Sector Development) Bill, National Academic Depository Bill, and the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Bill.
For 2026, Barau has already sponsored three bills before mid-year. They are the Utilities Charges Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, Nigeria Communications Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, and Equipment Leasing Act (Amendment) Bill. These target economic regulation and consumer protection.
Beyond the Senate, Barau doubles as First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament. Mudashir noted that despite regional duties, the Deputy Senate President has not slowed down his legislative work at home. That dual responsibility makes the 42-bill record more significant.
Legislative analysts say consistency is what sets Barau apart. While many lawmakers sponsor few bills and abandon them, Barau’s bills cut across immediate needs like health and education, and future issues like renewable energy and virtual assets.
For constituents in Kano North, the impact is direct. New federal institutions mean more admission opportunities. The North West Development Commission Act means a dedicated agency for regional development. The Federal Medical Centre Gwarzo brings healthcare closer.
As the 10th Senate marks three years on June 13, 2026, Senator Barau Jibrin’s 42 bills stand as a benchmark. Whether all will be passed remains to be seen, but the record has already positioned “Maliya” as a lawmaker who translates representation into legislation.
