In a significant personal and professional achievement, the Deputy President of the Senate and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Jibrin Barau, has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Corporate Entrepreneurship.
The degree was conferred by the Maryam Abacha American University in Maradi, Niger Republic, following Barau’s successful defense of his doctoral thesis on December 22, 2025.
The Research: Strengthening the SME Backbone
Senator Barau’s dissertation, titled “Entrepreneurial Orientation and Financial Performance of SMEs: The Moderating Role of Environment,” addresses a critical area of the Nigerian economy. His research focused on:
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Strategic Practices: How specific entrepreneurial mindsets and behaviors impact the bottom line of Small and Medium Enterprises.
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Environmental Factors: Analyzing how external operating environments (economic, regulatory, and social) moderate the success of these businesses.
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Policy Implications: The findings are expected to contribute to more nuanced legislative debates regarding economic growth and SME support frameworks.
Balancing Leadership and Learning
Associates of the Kano-born lawmaker highlighted that the completion of this rigorous academic program is a testament to his discipline. Barau managed to fulfill the requirements of his PhD while simultaneously serving in high-profile roles:
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Legislative Leadership: Serving as the number two presiding officer of the Nigerian Senate.
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Regional Diplomacy: Fulfilling duties as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
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Professional Standing: Maintaining his credentials as a Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (FCNA) and a recipient of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Impact on Governance
Observers suggest that Senator Barau’s advanced academic attainment reflects a growing trend of Nigerian leaders pursuing specialized knowledge to enhance governance.
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Data-Driven Policy: His expertise in corporate entrepreneurship is poised to enrich National Assembly debates on job creation and industrialization.
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Lifelong Learning: The feat serves as an example of academic commitment for young professionals and fellow public servants.
