By Lamara Garba
In a bold move to support higher education and reduce the financial burden on parents and students, the Barau Jibrin Foundation has awarded domestic postgraduate scholarships to 300 deserving students from across Kano State. The official screening of prospective students for the scholarship programme took place at the Convocation Arena of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), on Sunday and Monday, April 20 &21, 2025.
The ceremony was marked by dignitaries from both academic and political circles. Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, CFR, emphasized the transformative power of education in nation-building, saying that education is the bedrock of every society, and it is a collective responsibility to ensure its success.
Senator Jibrin, who praised the BUK’s rising academic standards, stated that the university can now be compared with institutions globally. He commended the university’s management, led by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, for facilitating a transparent screening process for the scholarship selection.
The Deputy President of the Senate emphasized the importance of fairness and integrity in screening the beneficiaries, warning officials against using personal or political interests in the selection process. There should be no manipulation of the process he charged.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas commended the foundation’s initiative, describing it as a noble intervention and a clear reflection of a strong commitment to education. He noted that Senator Jibrin’s support has significantly contributed to the university’s development.
In his remarks Professor Muhammad Ibn Abdallah, the Chief of Staff to the Deputy President of theSenate, and chairman of the screening committee revealed that all the potential 300 scholarship recipients are of Kano origin and will pursue postgraduate degrees at various universities within the country, the universities are Bayero University, Kano, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and University of Lagos.
According to him the scholarship programme covers fourteen specialized programmes, such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics Technology, Cyber Security, Data Science, Software Development, Mineral Exploration, Hydrogeology, Environmental Geology, Oil and Gas Operations, Applied Geophysics, Meteorology, Climate Change Management, Mechatronics, and Intelligence System.
He noted that these courses were carefully selected after due consultation with various stakeholders.
Indeed, it is heart warming to note that this initiative demonstrates Senator Jibrin’s commitment to empowering the youth of Kano State through education, providing them with opportunities to acquire advanced knowledge and skills that will drive growth and development in the state. No doubt, the impact of this initiative will be far-reaching, with the potential to transform the lives of individuals, communities, and the state as a whole.
Many of the potential students in Kano State have expressed happiness and gratitude for Senator Jibrin’s initiative, describing it as noble and something that will earn him rewards till eternity.
Muhammad Ibrahim from Doguwa village, who obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree, said since his graduation, he has been yearning to further his studies, but poor financial standing has been blocking him from realizing his ambition, and he is hoping that this time around, he will be able to make it.
The likes of Muhammad abound in the state, whose intellectual quests were shattered due to poor financial standing. Therefore, the coming of Barau is a blessing to the people of the state and, by extension, Nigeria as a whole. It is hoped that politicians and other public-spirited individuals could copy from him, and by so doing, Kano and Nigeria will be great again.
Indeed, Senator Barau Jibrin’s scholarship initiative is a shining example of the transformative power of education. Certainly, by empowering the youth of Kano State, he is paving the way for a brighter future, which is filled with hope, opportunity, and promise.
It is indeed gratifying to conclude that the impact of this initiative will be felt for generations to come, and it serves as a model for other initiatives that aim to promote education and development in Kano State. Therefore by prioritizing education and providing its youth with the tools and resources they need to succeed, Kano State can unlock its full potential and create a brighter future for its citizens, one that is filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity.
Lamara Garba,
Director Public Affairs, Bayero University, Kano