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2027: Zamfara students mobilise for Tinubu, Lawal

President Tinubu

The JAGABA/DAUDA Students’ Mandate 2027, Zamfara State Chapter, on Wednesday, began a mobilisation drive across tertiary institutions in Zamfara State for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dauda Lawal in the 2027 elections.

The group said its mobilisation campaign would focus on engaging students, organising campus discussions and highlighting education programmes and interventions attributed to the federal and Zamfara State governments.

Speaking at the launch, the Convener, Comrade Bilyaminu Badarawa, described the initiative as a strategic platform for reaching Zamfara’s student population and drawing attention to developments in the education sector.

He emphasised that the mandate is rooted in what the group described as tangible and verifiable achievements in the education sector that have directly impacted Nigerian students and the people of Zamfara State.

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Badarawa said: “We are here to launch a movement that will engage students with the developments taking place in the education sector. Our Campus Ambassadors will take this message to campuses across Zamfara, engage their fellow students and ensure that young people are properly informed about the programmes and interventions affecting their education and future.”

The group cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) student-loan scheme as one of the major education initiatives of the Tinubu administration. NELFUND reported in August 2026 that more than 1.6 million student-loan applications had been processed, with over N322 billion disbursed.

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It also highlighted investments in technical and vocational education and training, research, infrastructure and institutional support, as well as the federal government’s efforts to address disruptions in tertiary education.

He added, “The administration successfully reached a comprehensive agreement with ASUU, ending a crisis that had lingered for 16 years and leading to improved salaries, allowances, pensions, research funding and working conditions for university staff. TETFund Infrastructure Projects: Massive infrastructure development across higher institutions nationwide.

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“Research and Innovation Grants: Billions of naira in grants awarded for research projects in tertiary institutions, covering health, agriculture, clean energy and defence technology.

“Institutional Support in Zamfara: Support for Federal University Gusau and the Federal University of Health Sciences, Tsafe. UBEC Smart Model School: Zamfara is among the states covered by the Federal Government’s UBEC Smart Model School programme.

“UBEC Funding for Basic Education: Zamfara is covered by the federal Universal Basic Education intervention framework, through which states can access federal matching-grant funding for basic education, including infrastructure, instructional materials and teacher development.

“ In November 2023, Governor Lawal declared a state of emergency in the education sector, making education one of the administration’s major priorities. Renovation and Reconstruction of More Than 500 Schools: The state government reports that more than 500 public schools have been reconstructed, renovated, and equipped across Zamfara.

“The government reported providing more than 12,000 two-seater desks for pupils and students, alongside hundreds of teachers’ tables and chairs. Recruitment of 2,000 Teachers: In January 2025, Governor Lawal approved the recruitment of 2,000 qualified teachers, with initial emphasis on Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, ICT and Entrepreneurship.

“Payment of Outstanding WAEC and NECO Debts: The administration paid outstanding examination debts inherited from previous administrations, including ₦1.4 billion to WAEC and ₦320.7 million to NECO. Release of Previously Withheld Examination Results: Students whose WAEC and NECO results had been withheld because of unpaid fees were able to access their results after the government settled outstanding obligations.

“The state also paid for the 2024 WAEC examination, allowing public-school students to participate. 408,137 Teaching and Learning Materials: In September 2025, the government announced the distribution of 408,137 teaching and learning materials to public schools. UBEC additionally provided 77,609 materials, while UNICEF supplied 5,000 climate-change and education early-warning handbooks.

“School Feeding Programme: The administration launched a school-feeding initiative aimed at improving school enrolment and retention while addressing hunger and malnutrition among pupils. Partnerships with NGOs supported feeding programmes in several LGAs.

“Support for Students Whose University Certificates Were Withheld: In January 2026, the government settled outstanding tuition fees for 50 Zamfara students of Crescent University, Abeokuta, enabling them to receive certificates that had reportedly been withheld for nine years.

“Reform of State-Owned Tertiary Institutions: In January 2025, governing councils and boards were inaugurated for six state-owned tertiary institutions, including Zamfara State University, Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, College of Education Maru, College of Nursing and Midwifery Gusau, College of Health Sciences and Technology Tsafe, and College of Agriculture and Animal Science Bakura.
Education Governance and Quality-Assurance Reforms:

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He said education reforms announced in 2026 covered financing, school protection, quality assurance, school health, security, unified examinations, inclusive education, STEM, technical and vocational education and training, and digital education.

On the state government’s record, the group pointed to Governor Lawal’s declaration of a state of emergency in education in November 2023 and subsequent measures it said were aimed at rebuilding the sector.

“He said they would engage fellow students on government programmes while also promoting voter education and participation ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We cannot afford to return to a past where examination results were withheld, teachers were unpaid, and classrooms collapsed. The JAGABA/DAUDA Students’ Mandate 2027 is committed to ensuring that the voices of Zamfara students are heard and their interests protected,” he said.

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