Nigeria students praise Tinubu and Umahi for federal road projects

Nigeria students praise Tinubu and Umahi for 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 on what he described as massive federal road projects underway in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The President of NANS, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, delivered the eulogy on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 in Abuja while presenting the association’s report following the inspection of Federal Roads in the North West.

According to Afeez, the tour covered Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto states, with the students inspecting several major federal highways, including 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 student safety.
Student leaders said improving road infrastructure would improve mobility, strengthen safety and make access to tertiary institutions easier for students traveling from different parts of the country.
They also submitted evaluation reports and feedback based on their experiences during the nationwide inspection.

Responding to the report, the Minister highlighted the importance of road and bridge infrastructure to economic growth, saying the federal government was exploring financing arrangements in which it would provide 30% of the cost of major projects, with the remainder coming from 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 program aims to improve connectivity, stimulate economic activity and strengthen safety across the country.
The minister also linked infrastructure investment to the elimination of fuel subsidies, saying that resources previously committed to subsidizing fuel could now be deployed on critical infrastructure.
He said the government is also introducing solar-powered street lighting and CCTV 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 said some people were removing road marking materials and manhole covers, while some motorists were driving at excessive speed on the highway.
The minister called for greater public accountability and protection of federal infrastructure, stressing that the success of the projects will depend not only on state investment but also on the cooperation of road users and communities.
The students pledged to continue monitoring federal road projects and provide 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 leaders in the South East to educate residents on what he described as President Bola Tinubu’s achievements in the region.

“The more we educate our people, the fewer votes Peter Obi will get. Peter Obi will not be able to win in 2027,” the minister said.
He urged South East leaders to be more vocal in highlighting federal government projects and appointments in the region.
“It is important for leaders in the South East to be bold, vocal and speak to our people, the Igbo, about what President Tinubu has done and is doing for the Igbo,” Umahi said.
The minister also expressed support to Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for his support for President Tinubu, stressing that individuals should be allowed to make their own political choices.
“I support Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for his boldness in supporting the President. People should stop insulting the President’s supporters; people should be allowed to support him,” he said.
Umahi maintained that the Tinubu administration had demonstrated the 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, be it through appointments, inclusion or projects,” he said.