Jigawa governor pledges loyalty to Tinubu, APC

Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging continued support for the success of the Tinubu administration.

The governor made the pledge while receiving members of the National Executive Council of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Dutse following their election at the association’s national delegates’ congress held in the state.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Hamisu Gumel.

According to the statement, Governor Namadi commended President Tinubu for introducing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing the initiative as a timely and far-reaching intervention aimed at easing students’ financial burden and expanding access to higher education nationwide.

He also noted that the NANS leadership was in Jigawa State for its North-West zonal elections, which involve Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa, Sokoto and Kebbi states, and expressed appreciation to the association for choosing the state as host.

“Governor Namadi reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to continue supporting NANS activities and all student-centred engagements,” the statement said.

The governor stressed that the NELFUND initiative reflects President Tinubu’s strong commitment to education, youth development and social inclusion, particularly at a time when many students are struggling with rising tuition fees.

Recalling Jigawa State’s intervention to cushion the impact of increased school fees, Namadi disclosed that the state government had spent close to N700 million to support indigent students through the Students’ Affairs Office as part of its human capital development agenda.

“I could remember when school fees were increased; many students found it difficult to pay, and some were on the verge of dropping out, which is unacceptable,” he said.

“So the student loan scheme introduced by President Tinubu has shown clearly that this is a president who genuinely cares about youth education in Nigeria.”

Governor Namadi also commended the NANS leadership for promoting dialogue, unity and constructive engagement among students, urging them to embrace accountability, transparency and responsible leadership.

“As future leaders of this country, we must resolve our differences through dialogue and consultation, not conflict,” he added.

In his remarks, the NANS National President, Comrade Olusola Ladoja, praised both the federal and Jigawa State governments for their student friendly policies, describing the education loan scheme as a groundbreaking initiative that signals a new era of responsive leadership.

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“Since the inception of democracy, this is the first time Nigerian students are truly feeling the impact of governance,” he said.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the first president who listened to Nigerian students and deemed it fit to introduce loans to enable them to go to school.”

The NANS leadership also lauded Governor Namadi for providing a peaceful and conducive environment that ensured the successful conduct of the zonal elections, while pledging continued collaboration with the Jigawa State Government.