Senator Jibrin Barau @66: Footprints Of A Political Powerhouse And Philanthropist

Unlike his peers, Senator Jibrin Barau, Deputy Senate President, who turned 66 on June 19, covets no vanities and demands no gaudy celebration for his birthday or to glorify his exploits as a man and leader of men. Despite his towering achievements, the soft-spoken but brilliant senator remains an epitome of modesty, resilience, and transformative leadership.

Though not a landmark birthday that would have occasioned a rousing celebration, it is, however, for Senator Jibrin a resounding testament and poignant reminder of Allah’s (SWT) profound love and abiding grace over his life.

Friends and political associates say that Senator Jibrin is so unassuming because he realised early in life that fate had thrust upon him a huge task of unifying the different interests in the political power play of the Northwest while ensuring that no human was left to suffer any deprivation. Hence, he takes nothing for granted, and he is a walking embodiment of gratitude to God for the grace and good health to wake up daily without any aches and anxieties.

Blessed with cutting-edge political intelligence and an incredibly fecund mind that is only tempered by unpretentious compassion, Senator Jibrin’s philanthropy is intrinsic and deep-rooted, not contrived or cosmetic.

Despite the widespread impact of his philanthropic activities, providing a wide range of social welfare programs with the intent to be the voice of those who desperately need help, he doesn’t make a song and a dance of them. That is why noiseless but far-reaching philanthropy is his watchword. Senator Jibrin shares in the angst of his people and tries as much as possible to brighten their year with numerous gifts and food items. He is proof positive that the line between politics and philanthropy is thin.

Additionally, through the Barau I Jibrin Foundation (BIJF), which was founded many years ago to provide humanitarian assistance, empower youths, promote academic excellence, and offer educational opportunities, particularly to graduates from the Kano North Senatorial District, Senator Jibrin has positively impacted thousands of lives.

In recognition of the fundamental role education plays in shaping society, the foundation’s scholarship programme is expanding educational access for young Nigerians through fully funded scholarship programs, both domestic and foreign, focusing especially on fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, cyber security, and forensic science, among others. 

Recently, the foundation awarded postgraduate scholarships to 300 students within Nigeria, while postgraduate foreign scholarships in M. Tech. (Information Security & Cyber Forensics), M. Tech. (Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning), and M. Tech. (Robotics Sciences) have been awarded to successful applicants as part of efforts to contribute to the country’s technological advancement.

Indeed, Senator Jibrin is one of Nigeria’s most impactful senators, with a robust catalogue of people-centric bills addressing critical areas of our national life, including infrastructure, education, youth and human development, healthcare, etc. The fact that he doesn’t joke with these essential areas of life and the passion and resources he channels into addressing them in Kano and everywhere in between have placed him on a pedestal above his colleagues.

He continually harnesses his political influence and resources to better his people’s lot while evolving into a centripetal force for Nigeria’s most populous geopolitical zone, the Northwest. Beyond that, he has facilitated several projects like the construction of rural roads to enhance connectivity and the installation of solar-powered boreholes for access to clean water in Kano North. His health initiatives include the building or renovation of medical facilities, maternal and child health programs, the distribution of medical supplies, and the equipping of health centres to improve access to essential health services.

Born in Kabo, Kano State, the erudite Senator Jibrin holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting, a master’s degree in financial management and pricing, a master’s degree in management, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He also holds a degree in Financial Management for Business Decisions from Cornell University, United States. His foray into politics started with his election as a member of the House of Representatives for the Tarauni Federal Constituency in 1999.

His peerless fiscal expertise and experience saw him chair the House Committee on Appropriations. He was also a member of the House Committee on Power. A former chairman of the Kano State Investment and Properties Ltd. and commissioner of science and technology in the state, Jibrin was first elected into the Senate in 2015 and won re-election in 2019 and 2023, respectively. He also served as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations for the 9th Senate.

Though he was the front-runner for the senate presidency in the 10th Assembly, he respected the party’s zoning arrangement and agreed to be deputy senate president. However, that does not in any way detract from the unparalleled wealth of experience that he has acquired as a third-term senator and the highest-ranking senator from the Northwest. Those who should know reckon that for the APC to make any meaningful impact in the Northwest in the 2027 elections, this ‘Birthday Boy’ has a huge role to play.