Nigeria Students Commend Tinubu, Umahi Over Federal Road Projects

Nigeria Students Commend Tinubu, Umahi Over Federal Road Projects
By Raphael Ekpang

Abuja (Core Reporters) -The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Engr. Senator David Umahi over what it described as massive federal roads projects going on across the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory, Abuja.

NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, gave the commendation on Tuesday, Septembet 22, 2026, in Abuja while presenting the association’s report following its inspection of federal roads in the North-West.

According to Afeez, the tour covered Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto states, with students inspecting several major federal highways, including the Kano-Maiduguri, Kano-Katsina, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano, Mando-Birnin Gwari, Sokoto-Badagry and Illela-Dukamaje roads.
He said the roads serve more than 10 tertiary institutions, making their condition particularly important to students and other members of the academic community.
Afeez said NANS was impressed by the scale, quality and pace of work observed on the roads, while recommending the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Federal Co-operative College, Kaduna, to improve students’ safety.
The student leaders said improved road infrastructure would enhance mobility, strengthen security and make access to tertiary institutions easier for students travelling from different parts of the country.
They also presented evaluation reports and feedback based on their experiences during the nationwide inspection.

Responding to the report, the Minister stressed the importance of road and bridge infrastructure to economic growth, saying the Federal Government was exploring funding arrangements in which it would provide 30 per cent of the cost of major projects, with the balance sourced through loans to be repaid from toll revenue.
He also highlighted ongoing strategic projects, including the Abuja-Kano, Gombe-Bauchi and Bauchi-Jos roads.
According to him, the Federal Government’s road programme is aimed at improving connectivity, stimulating economic activity and strengthening security across the country.
The minister further linked infrastructure investment to the removal of fuel subsidy, saying resources previously committed to subsidising fuel could now be deployed to critical infrastructure.
He said the government was also introducing solar-powered street lighting and closed-circuit television cameras along some major reconstructed highways to improve visibility, surveillance and safety.
Umahi, however, expressed concern over vandalism and reckless driving along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
He alleged that some individuals were removing road demarcation materials and manhole covers, while some motorists were driving at excessive speeds on the highway.
The minister called for greater public responsibility and protection of federal infrastructure, stressing that the success of the projects would depend not only on government investment but also on the cooperation of road users and communities.
The students pledged to continue monitoring federal road projects and providing constructive feedback, while urging the government to ensure timely completion and proper maintenance of ongoing projects.

Meanwhile Umahi, has declared that Peter Obi cannot win the 2027 presidential election, urging South-East leaders to educate residents on what he described as President Bola Tinubu’s achievements in the region.

“The more we educate our people, the less votes Peter Obi will get. Peter Obi cannot win in 2027,” the minister said.
He urged leaders in the South-East to be more vocal in highlighting the Federal Government’s projects and appointments in the region.
“It is important for the leaders of the South-East to be bold, vocal and speak to our people, the Igbos, about what President Tinubu has done and is doing for the Igbos,” Umahi said.
The minister also expressed support for Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, over his reported support for President Tinubu, stressing that individuals should be allowed to make their political choices.
“I support the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for his boldness in supporting the President. People should stop insulting supporters of the President; people should be allowed to support him,” he said.
Umahi maintained that the Tinubu administration had demonstrated inclusion of the South-East through political appointments and infrastructure projects.
“No other President has done what President Tinubu has done for the South-East, whether by appointment, inclusion or projects,” he said.