NANS @45: Barau Rallies Students Behind Tinubu’s Re-election Bid

The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin, has urged Nigerian students to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in order to sustain ongoing reforms in the education sector, including student loan initiatives.

Speaking on Friday while chairing the 45th anniversary celebration of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS @45) in Abuja, Barau said the Tinubu administration has demonstrated genuine commitment to tackling the country’s challenges through transformative policies.

“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, bringing reforms and innovations to transform our education sector, and empowering the youth will continue,” he said.

He called on students to cooperate with the government and actively support the President’s re-election, noting that current policies are creating opportunities for young Nigerians, especially those from less privileged backgrounds, to pursue higher education.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Barau commended President Tinubu for what he described as bold and impactful reforms across key sectors, particularly education, adding that the initiatives are laying a solid foundation for national development.

The lawmaker, who also serves as First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, emphasised that education remains the most powerful tool for national transformation and praised the administration’s targeted 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,” he said.

Barau highlighted key initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which is broadening access to higher education, as well as the establishment of new tertiary institutions, improved engagement with academic unions, and policies aimed at stabilising the academic calendar to ensure timely graduation.

“These are critical foundations for a stronger future,” he noted.

He further stressed that education is central to the administration’s broader vision for economic growth and national development, urging students to take advantage of the opportunities being created.

Acknowledging the historic role of Nigerian students in nation-building, Barau described NANS as a vital partner in promoting youth development and inclusive growth.

He urged the leadership of the association to remain a responsible voice for students and contribute to building a stable and prosperous nation.

“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,” he said.

“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.”