The JAGABA/DAUDA Students’ Mandate 2027, Zamfara State Chapter, has launched its Campus Ambassadors initiative, pledging to mobilise students across tertiary institutions in the 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.
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.
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.
“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:
“In July 2026, Governor Lawal signed Executive Orders covering education financing, school protection, quality assurance, school health, security, unified examinations, inclusive education, STEM, TVET and digital education. The national curriculum was also distributed to public schools.
“120-Day Rapid Education Intervention Plan: In April 2026, the State Executive Council approved a 120-day plan covering school mapping, infrastructure assessment, payroll audits, teacher development, digital transformation and student welfare. It also approved work towards a unified Education Sector Bill covering education from ECCDE through tertiary level.
“Improved Institutional Support for Higher Education: In September 2026, official vehicles were distributed to several higher-education institutions and education agencies, including Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State University, Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, College of Nursing and Midwifery, the Teachers Service Board and Quality Assurance bodies.
“Scholarship and Student Support: At the Federal University Gusau convocation in 2024, the governor announced a state scholarship for the university’s overall best graduating student. The state’s 2025 budget-performance report also records a domestic scholarship scheme.
“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.
“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,” the Convener stated.
“The future of Zamfara depends significantly on the quality of education available to its young people. Our responsibility as students and young citizens is to understand what is being done, engage constructively and make our voices heard. The JAGABA/DAUDA Students’ Mandate 2027, is committed to ensuring that the interests and aspirations of Zamfara students remain at the centre of our mobilisation,” he added.
The event concluded with a call for students across Zamfara State to support the Tinubu and Lawal ticket in the 2027 elections, with the newly inaugurated Campus Ambassadors pledging to mobilise students and young people across tertiary institutions in the state.