In a move aimed at promoting access to higher education and reducing financial barriers for underprivileged students, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has awarded scholarships to 1,000 indigent students of the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.
The gesture, implemented through the Barau I. Jibrin Foundation, is part of the lawmaker’s ongoing educational empowerment initiative targeted at students from the Kano North Senatorial District across various tertiary institutions.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Senator Barau explained that the annual scholarship programme covers tuition and other essential academic expenses for beneficiaries until graduation. He said the initiative is one of several interventions aimed at building human capital and encouraging academic excellence among young Nigerians.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to the development of education in Kano State, the Deputy Senate President recalled that the President swiftly approved the upgrade of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Kano, to a Federal University of Education, and subsequently endorsed its renaming in honour of the late Yusuf Maitama Sule.
“When I approached President Tinubu for the upgrade of FCE Kano to a Federal University of Education, he instantly approved it. A few days later, when I requested the renaming to Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, he also approved without delay,” Senator Barau stated.
He further announced plans to extend the scholarship programme to cover students from Kano Central and Kano South Senatorial Districts in the next phase.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Abdullahi Tukur Kadage, commended Senator Barau’s consistent commitment to educational advancement, noting that his interventions have significantly impacted both the university and the larger academic community.
“Senator Barau not only sponsored the bill upgrading FCE Kano to a university and renaming it after Yusuf Maitama Sule but has also given 1,000 students the opportunity to pursue their dreams through this scholarship,” Professor Kadage said.
He also appealed to the Deputy Senate President to support further expansion of the university’s infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of students and enhance the learning environment.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Minister of State for Housing, Alhaji Yusuf Abdullahi Ata; Kano State APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas; the ASUU Chairman of YUMSUK; students’ representatives, and other key stakeholders.