The Deputy President of the Senate , Senator Barau Jibrin , urged Nigerian students in Abuja Friday to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for second term for continuity of his initiatives in the education sector, including student loans.
Barau who made the call at the 45th anniversary of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS @45), said President Tinubu is genuinely committed to addressing the challenges facing the country, hence the various reforms embarked upon by the administration.
” The time is here for the 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.
” Let them continue to cooperate with the government, to work with the government and work for His Excellency’s reelection. 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. 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,” he said.
He commended President Tinubu for his bold and impactful reforms in the education and other sectors, noting that the ongoing government initiatives are laying a strong foundation for national development.
Senator Barau who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, said education remains the most powerful tool for national transformation, hence the need to commend the President for his purposeful interventions in the sector.
“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.
“Key among these is the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which is expanding access to higher education; the establishment of new tertiary institutions( including in my village, Federal University of Science and Technology, Kabo); improved engagement with academic unions; and policies that are helping to stabilise the academic calendar with a view of ensuring that students graduate on time. These are critical foundations for a stronger future,” he noted.
He stressed further that education remains central to the Tinubu administration’s broader vision for economic growth and national transformation, urging students to take full advantage of the opportunities being created.
While acknowledging the historic role of Nigerian students in nation-building, the Deputy Senate President described NANS as a critical partner in advancing government efforts aimed at youth development and inclusive growth.
He therefore urged the leadership of NANS to sustain its role as 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.