NANS@45: Barau Urges Students to Back Tinubu’s Second Term for Education Reforms Continuity

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has called on Nigerian students to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in order to sustain ongoing initiatives in the education sector, including student loan programmes.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja while chairing the 45th anniversary celebration of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS @45), Senator Barau stated that President Tinubu remains genuinely committed to tackling the country’s challenges, as demonstrated by the administration’s reforms.

He said: “The time has come for Nigerian students to show appreciation by supporting the second term bid of Mr President, so that the trajectory of helping students, introducing reforms, and driving innovations to transform the education sector and empower the youth will continue.
“They should continue to cooperate with the government and work towards His Excellency’s re-election. We now have a youth-friendly government that is transforming lives and making it possible for children from less privileged backgrounds to pursue their education. Students should reciprocate by supporting Mr President so that these benefits will continue and their lives will be fully transformed.”
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau commended President Tinubu for implementing bold and impactful reforms across the education sector and beyond, noting that these initiatives are laying a solid foundation for national development.
Senator Barau, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, emphasised that education remains the most powerful tool for national transformation. He praised the President’s interventions in the sector, highlighting the need to expand access, improve quality, and align education with the demands of a modern and 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,” he said.
He pointed to key initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which is widening 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 timely graduation.
“These are critical foundations for a stronger future,” he added.
Senator Barau reiterated that education is central to the Tinubu administration’s broader agenda for economic growth and national transformation, urging students to take advantage of the opportunities being created.
While recognising the historic role of Nigerian students in nation-building, he described NANS as a vital partner in advancing government efforts toward youth development and inclusive growth.
He also urged the leadership of NANS to remain a responsible voice for students and a key partner in building a stable and prosperous Nigeria.
“Let your activism be guided by patriotism, integrity, and a genuine commitment to building a nation we can all be proud of. Let this 45th anniversary not only celebrate the past but also serve as a renewed commitment to a future of unity, opportunity, justice, equity, and shared prosperity,” he said.