By Hyacinth Eku
Abuja
Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin has urged Nigerian students to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying it will ensure continuity of key education sector initiatives, including student loans.
He made the call on Friday in Abuja as the chairman of the 45th anniversary of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS @45), according to a press release signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir within the weekend.
Senator Barau said President Tinubu is genuinely committed to addressing the country’s challenges, as shown by the various reforms his administration has embarked upon. “The time is here for Nigerian students to show their appreciation by supporting the second term bid of Mr President so that this trajectory of helping students, the trajectory of bringing reforms and innovations to transform our education sector, to help the youth, will continue,” he stated.
“Let them continue to cooperate with the government, to work with the government and work for His Excellency’s re-election. Now, we have a government that is friendly to youth, that is helping the youth, that is transforming their lives, that is making it possible for the children of the poor to pursue their educational pursuits,” Barau added. “So they should now reciprocate by coming together to work with Mr President so that all the goodies that Mr President is providing will continue and their lives will be fully transformed.”
Commending Tinubu for “bold and impactful reforms” in education and other sectors, the Deputy Senate President said ongoing government initiatives are laying a strong foundation for national development. He stressed that education remains central to the administration’s vision for economic growth.
“We must continue to expand access, improve quality, and align education with the realities of a modern, dynamic world. Our young people must be equipped not just with certificates but with skills, innovation, and entrepreneurial capacity, and that is what Mr President is doing,” said Barau, who is also First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
He listed key interventions such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which is expanding access to higher education; the establishment of new tertiary institutions, including the Federal University of Science and Technology, Kabo; improved engagement with academic unions; and policies aimed at stabilising the academic calendar to ensure students graduate on time. “These are critical foundations for a stronger future,” he noted.
While acknowledging the historic role of Nigerian students in nation-building, Barau described NANS as a critical partner in advancing youth development and inclusive growth. He urged the association’s leadership to remain a responsible voice for students and a partner in building a stable and prosperous Nigeria.
“Let your activism always be guided by patriotism, integrity, and a genuine desire to build a sound nation that we shall all be proud of. Let this 45th anniversary be more than a celebration of the past; let it be a renewed commitment to the future: A future of unity, opportunity, justice, equity, and shared prosperity,” he said.
