Former presidential spokesman Reuben Abati criticises the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) for inspecting federal road projects and submitting a report to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi. Abati says students should be focused on their studies rather than carrying out project inspections.
Multiple accounts describe NANS as conducting a nationwide Federal Roads Project Tour, with a delegation led by NANS president Babatunde Akinteye Afeez. The tour includes visits to road projects in parts of the North-West and other areas. After inspecting the sites, the students reportedly commend aspects such as construction quality, durability and pace, while also pointing out areas needing additional attention, including pedestrian bridges near tertiary institutions where major highways intersect with campus access routes.
Umahi is described as receiving the delegation’s findings and expressing approval of the students’ approach, including that they independently requested access to project sites across six geopolitical zones and declined offered ministry logistics in order to assess the projects themselves. Abati frames the initiative as “curious,” arguing that the inspection activity reflects a shift in student involvement away from academics, and suggests it resembles political engagement.
