By Binta Spikin
Today is indeed a memorable and joyous day for students of the Federal University of Education, Kano. It marks the dawn of a new era in their educational journey, one defined by opportunity, compassion, and visionary leadership.
Senator Dr. Barau I. Jibrin, Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, once again demonstrated his commitment to education and youth empowerment by awarding scholarships to every student of Kano North extraction in the university.
This gesture is not an isolated act of generosity. Within just a few weeks, Senator Barau has rolled out a series of educational interventions that have touched thousands of young lives across Kano State.
It began with the payment of scholarships to students of Bayero University, Kano, followed by those of Northwest University, Kano, and now, the newly upgraded Federal University of Education has joined the list of beneficiaries.
According to the Senator, the scholarships are his contribution toward developing human capital and building a knowledge-based economy that can enable Kano to compete with other regions and nations of the world. He emphasized that education remains the most powerful tool for empowerment and development, and that the youths of today are the builders of tomorrow.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving his proposal to upgrade the former Federal College of Education to a full-fledged University of Education,a transformative step for the advancement of teacher education and research in the region.
It is important to note that Senator Barau Jibrin is not just a political ally of President Tinubu, but also a leader whose style of politics is defined by optimism, humility, and human connection. His warmth and charisma are infectious.The scholarship announcement was a source of joy, but his presence itself,his genuine concern and the energy he brought left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.
As I watched the event unfold, it became clearer to me that in Kano’s political landscape, Senator Barau Jibrin has emerged as a formidable force — a man whose political relevance stems not from rhetoric but from action. He is, without doubt, the one politician today with the vision, clout, and stamina to match the state government’s influence, especially in matters of youth development and education.
While the Kano state government struggles to justify a controversial scholarship programme, Senator Barau’s foreign scholarship initiative, which sent 71 Kano indigenes to study Artificial Intelligence in India, stands as a testament to his foresight. This is in addition to the numerous local scholarship schemes that have brought relief to both students and parents across Kano North.
His impact extends beyond academics. Recently, he launched the “Auren Gata” (Mass Marriage) Programme, which has been uniquely structured to ensure sustainability and happiness for the couples involved. A dedicated monitoring team has been set up to provide post-marital support and ensure that these unions thrive a rare approach that reflects thoughtful leadership and genuine care for community wellbeing.
In every sense, Senator Barau Jibrin, fondly known as Maliya is a game changer for Kano and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North. His strategies are deliberate, his projects are people-centered, and his commitment is deeply rooted in the desire to uplift the youth and empower the less privileged. He exemplifies a brand of leadership that is visionary, inclusive, and development-driven.
Senator Barau is a builder of people, not just of projects. His investment in education, youth, and social welfare is an investment in the future of Kano and Nigeria at large.
He is smart, strategic, and sincerely dedicated to human development — a man whose impact will echo for generations to come. Truly, Senator Barau Jibrin is not only investing in education; he is investing in you.