Cataloging DSP Barau’s Achievements by The Parliamentarian Magazine
– As 25,000 students get scholarship
– N100,000 individual grants transform 5,000 families
By Abba Anwar
With His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin, PhD, CFR, Deputy Senate President, lifting families from poverty and sending thousands to schools, to become self-conscious, self-independent and abhoring subservient attitudes, has never been a big deal. His is a well designed development plan for his people.
Securing environment and improving development with productive citizens, can best be attained through engaging people to take active part in economic inclusion and providing people with quality education. An enduring strategy applied by the Senator for his people.
Hence the introduction of a special scholarship scheme, which aims young people from his constituency, Kano North and the state in general. Thousands of young students who applied for the scholarship, were invited, interviewed, screened and selected base on merit.
Seventy students (70) sent abroad for their postgraduate studies in modern fields of study. Like Software Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, among others. Some are already back after completing their studies. To Allah be the Glory.
Lots more got admitted into some selected Nigerian universities, for their undergraduate studies, like Bayero University, Kano, University of Ibadan, Universal of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Maiduguri, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, among others.
A bit above twenty five thousand (25,000) students are currently benefiting from DSP’s scholarship scheme. Across the globe and within the shores of our dear nation.
What makes Senator’s style unique, when it comes to serving his people, is the follow-up strategy. Apart from the technical follow-up of the management of the scholarship scheme and that of empowerment programmes, The Parliamentarian Magazine, a publication of DSP’s Media Office, goes out and monitors all categories of His Excellency’s projects, programmes and policies.
The recent publication acknowledges that, “Across Kano North Senatorial District, a quiet but impactful educational intervention has been reshaping the future of thousands of young people.
Over the past three years, no fewer than 25,000 indigent students have benefited from the scholarship programme initiated by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin.
The initiative, which targets students in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, has become a lifeline for many students struggling to remain in school amid rising economic challenges. Under the scheme, each university student receives N50,000, while students in colleges of education and polytechnics receive N20,000 each.”
It further breaks down the disbursement and allocation of logistics as follows, that in 2023 3,020 students benefited, in 2024 9,857 students benefited and the number keeps on rising in 2025 when 10,694 benefited. This is what we call a Senator like no other. While revealing this gigantic project, let me reiterate a point here, this is the first individual political leader, I came across with this kind of legacy, since the return of democracy in 1999, under the current dispensation.
Another interesting thing with The Parliamentarian, is when the team goes to the extent of interviewing some of the beneficiaries of this scholarship scheme, under Barau I Jibrin Foundation. For example, one Ibrahim Musa from Gwarzo local government, testifies that, when the intervention reached him and helped him stay in school, “At that time, I was on the verge of deferring my studies because I couldn’t pay some essential fees. The N50,000 I received changed everything for me.”
Another student Maryam Sani, as reported by The Parliamentarian, from Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, the support was overwhelming and goes beyond financial relief. She affirmed that, “This scholarship helped me buy textbooks and cover my transportation for the semester. It reduced the burden on my parents and allowed me to focus on my studies.”
The Parliamentarian aptly captured that, “In 2025, the scholarship programme recorded another milestone, benefiting 10,694 students. The beneficiaries cut across universities, colleges of education, and polytechnics, further consolidating the scheme’s position as one of the largest grassroots educational interventions in the region.”
I can still remember vividly clear that, one of the events for the 1,052 beneficiaries took place at Convocation Arena, Bayero University, Kano. Where students participated with their parents, friends and well wishers. Stakeholders were also in attendance.
The DSP’s Media Office publication reveals that, one of the beneficiaries, Rukayya Yusuf Adam, a 400-level student, described the scholarship as timely and impactful. “We are grateful for this. This is not the first time we have benefited from Senator Barau’s scholarship. He has been supporting us consistently every year,” she said.
Another student Sadiq Abdullahi, a student from Makoda studying at a Polytechnic, noted that the support he received helped him pay for practical materials. This is DSP Jibrin for all. A responsible and responsive leader.
Also on behalf of students the President of Kano North Students in BUK, Comrade Lawal Salisu Gwarzo, described Senator Barau as “… the father of Nigerian students.” Citing his consistent investment in education.
With the intention of improving people’s economy and self-independence, Distinguished Senator Jibrin, initiated a N100,000 Monthly Cash Grant for 1,300 selected beneficiaries across the 13 local governments of his constituency, Kano North, for a period of 12 consecutive months. Disbursements have already started few weeks back.
After the take-off of the project, The Parliamentarian did some follow-ups to ascertain how transforming is the project. At the end of the follow-ups it came up with testimonies from the beneficiaries. The Magazine observed that, the cash grants transformed businesses in Kano North. Where farmers, artisans and other small businesses recorded positive results
According to the publication one of the beneficiaries, a woman called, “Malama Habiba, a fried groundnut vendor in Gwarzo community of Gwarzo Local Government Area in Kano North Senatorial District, had spent over two decades struggling to grow her small business. Despite her resilience and consistency, her capital never exceeded N30,000.
That reality, however, changed when she became one of the beneficiaries of the N100,000 cash empowerment initiative introduced by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin.
They quoted her to have said, “I have always managed the little I had as capital. Though it wasn’t much, I survived with it all these years. But when I received the N100,000 support from Senator Barau, everything changed, positively.
With this support, I now produce twice what I used to produce. My profit has increased, and I can support my family and even others.”
The publication, in their follow-up further acknowledged that, “Like Malama Habiba, hundreds of petty traders, artisans, farmers, and small-scale entrepreneurs across the 13 Local Government Areas of Kano North Senatorial District have benefited from the initiative. In just three months, nearly 5,000 people have received support under the programme.
Many beneficiaries said the intervention has not only improved their businesses but also strengthened their economic resilience, with the majority hoping to employ others to support their businesses.”
Another beneficiary, according to The Parliamentarian, Abdullahi Abdullahi Mai Citta, a spice trader in the Bichi local government area, assured them that, the intervention did not only help him meet family needs but also makes his capital base skyrocketed.
In a profound appreciation mode he commended that, “This intervention is a game changer. Immediately I received the N100,000, I went to Kano city and restocked goods that were previously out of reach. Now, my customers are increasing daily because I have what they need. I am aware that many others; shoe repairers, barbers, and petty traders have equally benefited.”
Also in Rimingado local government, one Alhaji Bala Musa, a firewood seller, said the grant revived his struggling business. Appreciated that, “My capital had dropped to less than N20,000 due to hardship and responsibilities. But when I received N100,000, I was able to restock. Now, I buy and sell firewood every week. I am fully back in business.”
Other beneficiaries of the N100,000 cash grants, as reported by The Parliamentarian, are Jamilu Basiru Dambatta, a shoemaker, Aisha Sani, a petty trader, from Dawana market, Muhammadu Saminu Butu-Butu, a vegetable seller and Malama Habiba, among others commended the Senator, appreciating that, the cash grant was the first of its kind they ever received since the start of their businesses, decades ago.
His Excellency Distinguished Senator Jibrin, the Deputy Senate President and First Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, proves to be an exceptional leader, whose sensitivity cuts across many facets of human endeavor and development. With the aforementioned interventions, he is indeed a quintessential political icon and a flagship for this and future generations.
ADIEU SENATOR, ADIEU!
Anwar writes from Kano
Thursday, 18th June, 2026