At the event, Yusupha Tunkara, National Coordinator of the Student Wing, said the secretariat will serve as a central hub for all students, while offering space for collaboration, engagement and to create that access to resources that will help advance the NPP’s agenda.
He added that NPP-SW has been instrumental in mobilising students and communities to rally support in the past.
“Our efforts in garnering support during the last electoral cycle demonstrated the power of youth involvement in shaping the outcome of national elections.”
As the country prepares ahead of its general election in the 2026 elections, Tunkara maintained that they are aware of the importance of mobilisation at an even greater scale.
“Our experience from previous elections has equipped us with valuable insights and strategies that we will leverage to ensure robust participation. We intend to expand our outreach, focusing not only on traditional methods, but also harnessing the power of digital communication and social media platforms to engage students and young voters nationwide.”
To that end, he reaffirmed the group’s unending dedication to promote the ideals of the National People’s Party.
On his part, Hon. Seedy S.K. Njie, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Deputy Adviser to NPP, said students engagements in politics has been an old tradition.
“In fact, in other jurisdictions most of their current presidents and prime ministers, were once directly involved in student politics. Therefore, the importance of this wing cannot be over emphasised.”
“We are glad to officially integrate you in our party executive as the NPP constitution recognises the body. You all are coming from a very important institution, thus you have a very important role to play in politics that is why the president thought as part of his government and party policies, access to quality education remains a priority.” he explained.
He revealed that this was the reaosn why the Ministry of Higher Education and other institutions within government have created budget lines for students scholarship and related activities in the national budget.
The student fund for scholarships for 2025, he added, is about D120 million and this shows how President Barrow places particular emphasis on their welfare.
Billay Tunkara, Majority leader of The National Assembly, while applauding the students for initiating such an important wing, equally expressed his appreciation to be associated with a party that is driven by development for the greater good.
For his part, Momodou Sabally, Youth Adviser to the president, acknowledged that these students have joined a party thats sole priority is to create good atmosphere for young people to be able to excel in their future endeavours.
“Therefore, you are in the right party and track and our doors will be open for guidance.”
