NANS Hails Tinubu, Umahi Over South-East Road Projects, Passes Vote of Confidence

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for the execution of strategic federal road projects across the South-East, following an inspection tour aimed at assessing the quality and progress of work on the major transport corridors.

The student body also passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu and Umahi, citing the standard of construction, the professionalism of engineers and contractors, and the potential economic and safety benefits of the projects to residents, students, traders and other road users.

The assessment tour, which commenced on Monday, took the NANS delegation to several strategic infrastructure projects, including the flyover bridge at Eke/Obinagu Junction along the Enugu-Abakaliki Road, the Enugu-Onitsha Dual Carriageway, the Second Niger Bridge linking the Asaba-Onitsha Road in Delta and Anambra states under Phase 2B, and the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway across Anambra and Imo states.

The tour was led by the NANS Senate President, Ibeabuchi Onyia, alongside national executives, zonal leaders, state executives, campus leaders and other students.

The delegation arrived in Awka, the Anambra State capital, before proceeding to the First Niger Bridge as part of its inspection activities.

Speaking to journalists during the exercise, Onyia said the visit was designed to enable students to assess federal infrastructure projects firsthand rather than rely solely on reports about their implementation.

He said the delegation observed encouraging construction standards, quality materials, appropriate road alignment and safety features across the projects inspected.

According to him, the engineering designs, construction quality and overall finishing demonstrated attention to modern infrastructure standards and the need to provide durable road networks for Nigerians.

“The delegation noted the high standard of construction, the professionalism of the engineers and contractors on site, and the visible pace of work on every project inspected,” Onyia said.

“The quality of materials, the road alignment and the safety features all met expectations. The engineering designs, construction quality, safety features, and overall finish reflect a commitment to modern infrastructure standards that meet the expectations of Nigerians.”

He added that the projects were already helping to ease transportation for students, traders and commuters, while potentially reducing the risks associated with daily journeys along the affected routes.

Onyia commended the Federal Ministry of Works for what he described as the professionalism displayed in the implementation of the projects, urging the ministry to sustain the pace of work until all the relevant interventions were completed.

NANS Commends Tinubu's Infrastructure Investment

The student leaders described the road projects as important interventions capable of improving connectivity across the South-East and neighbouring states, particularly by facilitating the movement of people, agricultural produce, manufactured goods and other commercial activities.

Onyia said the projects went beyond physical construction, arguing that improved road infrastructure could create new economic opportunities, strengthen inter-state commerce and accelerate development in communities along the corridors.

“NANS specifically appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for opening up these vital corridors. The dualisation works, the Second Niger Bridge (Phase 2B), the Onitsha–Owerri Expressway, and the Eke/Obinagu flyover are not merely construction projects; they are catalysts for new economic opportunities, improved inter-state commerce, accelerated developmental growth, and enhanced safety for millions of road users, including students who regularly travel these routes for academic, commercial, and social purposes,” he said.

He maintained that the projects, upon completion, could contribute to reducing travel time and vehicle operating costs, while improving the movement of goods and services between communities and commercial centres.

The NANS Senate President also expressed confidence that sustained investment in road infrastructure would strengthen economic activities along the routes and improve access to educational institutions, markets and other essential destinations.

For students, he noted, reliable roads were particularly important because of the frequent journeys between campuses, homes and commercial centres, as well as the need for safer and more convenient transportation during academic sessions and holidays.

The association's commendation comes amid continuing demands for improved road infrastructure across Nigeria, where the condition and capacity of major highways have significant implications for transportation costs, road safety and the movement of people and goods.

Umahi Gets Vote of Confidence

Beyond commending the projects, NANS passed a vote of confidence in Umahi, attributing the progress observed during the tour to his commitment, direct supervision and focus on results.

Onyia said the endorsement was made on behalf of the NANS Senate and Nigerian students, adding that the association considered the minister's oversight of the projects an important element of the federal government's infrastructure programme.

The student body also passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu, acknowledging his leadership and the administration's investment in road construction and rehabilitation.

The endorsement followed the delegation's inspection of the projects, during which it assessed construction quality, engineering standards, safety provisions and the pace of work.

However, the association stressed the importance of maintaining the observed standards throughout the remaining phases of construction, indicating that the projects' long-term value would depend on proper execution, timely completion and sustained maintenance.

Onyia urged the Federal Ministry of Works to maintain its momentum and ensure that the projects delivered lasting benefits to road users.

Second Niger Bridge, Other Corridors Expected to Boost Commerce

Among the major projects inspected was Phase 2B of the Second Niger Bridge project, a strategic infrastructure intervention intended to strengthen connectivity between the South-East and other parts of the country through the Asaba-Onitsha corridor.

The bridge and associated road infrastructure are particularly significant to commercial traffic because the wider Onitsha-Asaba axis serves as an important link for traders, transport operators and businesses moving goods between states.

The delegation also inspected the Enugu-Onitsha Dual Carriageway and the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, which connect important population centres and commercial communities across the region.

The Eke/Obinagu flyover along the Enugu-Abakaliki Road was another focus of the exercise, with the project forming part of the infrastructure being monitored by the students.

Collectively, the corridors are expected to improve road connectivity and facilitate economic activity, although the full extent of their benefits will depend on the completion status of the respective projects, their operational performance and effective maintenance.

For NANS, the inspection provided an opportunity to draw attention to the relationship between infrastructure delivery and the everyday experiences of citizens, particularly students who depend on road transportation to access education, business opportunities and social services.

Students Urged to Monitor Public Projects

As part of the tour, the delegation also engaged residents on the importance of infrastructure development and public awareness, encouraging citizens to take a greater interest in projects being executed with public resources.

Onyia thanked the NANS executives, state and zonal representatives, campus leaders and students who participated in the exercise, describing their involvement as part of the association's responsibility to contribute to national development.

He encouraged students to continue monitoring public infrastructure projects and providing constructive feedback to relevant authorities.

According to him, citizens' engagement with public projects can promote accountability, encourage the maintenance of construction standards and help ensure that infrastructure investments respond to the needs of the communities they are intended to serve.

The NANS president reaffirmed the association's readiness to work with government institutions on initiatives that advance national development, while maintaining the students' interest in the quality and delivery of public services.

The tour therefore served both as an assessment of ongoing federal road projects and as an expression of the association's position that infrastructure development should be judged by its quality, durability and practical benefits to the public.

As the Federal Ministry of Works continues its interventions across the South-East, the challenge will be to sustain construction standards, complete outstanding work and ensure that the roads deliver the promised improvements in mobility, safety and economic activity.

For NANS, the projects represent opportunities to strengthen regional connectivity and reduce the transportation difficulties confronting students and other road users, while its call for continued monitoring underscores the need for public engagement to accompany government investment.