The JAGABA/INUWA Students’ Mandate 2027, Gombe State Chapter, on Thursday, launched its Campus Ambassadors initiative across tertiary institutions in the state, pledging to mobilise students and promote discussions on education, governance and youth development ahead of the 2027 elections.

The initiative is also backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election, Dr Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna.

Speaking at the launch, the Convener, Comrade Kasim Abubakar, said that the initiative would provide a platform for students to participate in discussions about education, governance and the future of young people in Gombe State.

The group said that the initiative would establish a coordinated network of student ambassadors to engage their peers on government policies, education programmes and what it described as documented achievements of the administrations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

He said the group’s activities would focus on documented developments in the education sector, particularly interventions relating to school infrastructure, teacher recruitment, access to education, examination performance, girl-child education, out-of-school children and tertiary education.

Kasim said: “We are launching a platform that will engage students on the developments taking place in the education sector. Our Campus Ambassadors will take this conversation to campuses across Gombe, engage their fellow students and encourage informed discussions about programmes and interventions affecting their education and future.”

He said the group would focus particularly on school infrastructure, teacher recruitment, access to education, examination performance, girl-child education, out-of-school children and tertiary education.

Kasim cited figures presented by the group on NELFUND, saying that as of August 2026, more than 1.6 million applications had been processed, while over N322 billion had been disbursed to students in universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and vocational institutions.

Kasim added, “An ambitious plan to train over one million youths across 1,600 centres, with free tuition, monthly stipends, and starter packs in trades such as electrical work, welding, and digital skills.

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

According to the group, the governor declared a state of emergency in the education sector in 2019 and subsequently embarked on interventions including the construction and renovation of more than 1,600 classrooms across about 350 schools.

The group further cited state government figures showing that the proportion of students obtaining at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in national examinations rose from 22 per cent in 2019 to 76 per cent in 2024.

The group also highlighted the upgrading of five legacy secondary schools into modern mega colleges, interventions under the Integrated Almajiri and Tsangaya education programme, and the expansion of Gombe State University through the development of new faculties and campuses.

“The administration has expanded Gombe State University through the development of new faculties and campuses, including the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and the Faculty of Environmental Sciences. The state has continued to support tertiary institutions while Gombe State University has benefited from TETFund-funded infrastructure and other interventions.

“Girl-Child Education: Gombe State participated in the World Bank-supported Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme, including interventions aimed at improving girls’ enrolment, retention and completion. The AGILE programme has also supported school improvement interventions, with the state launching a ₦13.5 billion school improvement grant covering 442 secondary schools.

“The administration has continued to provide scholarship and bursary support to students, including interventions aimed at supporting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The state government has continued to provide funding for WAEC and NECO examination expenses as part of its education interventions.

“The administration reintroduced mandatory mock examinations for secondary-school students as part of efforts to prepare candidates for national examinations and improve academic performance,” he said.

The group said the interventions demonstrate the administration’s emphasis on expanding access to education, improving school infrastructure, strengthening the teaching workforce and supporting students at different levels of education.

The newly inaugurated Campus Ambassadors were charged with the responsibility of grassroots mobilisation, voter education and engaging students on education-related programmes and developments at both federal and state levels.

The group also lauded the emergence of Dr Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 Gombe State election.

According to the initiative, Gwamna deserves to be supported since he has publicly stated that his vision is to build on the achievements recorded under the Inuwa Yahaya administration while introducing new ideas to further improve the lives of residents.