Akor Sylvester, Abuja
The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, has described roads and bridges as essential to the freedom, economic growth and security of Nigerians, following a nationwide inspection of federal government road projects by the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Umahi who stated this in Abuja while receiving the report of the students’ nationwide Federal Roads Project Tour, expressed satisfaction over the level of infrastructure development in the country.
The NANS delegation, led by its President, Comrade Babatunde Akinteye Afeez, had inspected Federal government road projects in parts of the North West and other areas to assess their quality, progress and impact on students, tertiary institutions, businesses and surrounding communities.
The students commended the quality, durability and pace of work observed on the projects, while also identifying areas requiring additional attention, particularly the need for pedestrian bridges around tertiary institutions located along major highways.
Umahi commended the NANS leadership for independently undertaking the inspection, saying the students chose to physically assess the projects rather than rely solely on government reports, political narratives or information from third parties.
According to him, the students requested access to project sites across the six geopolitical zones and declined the Ministry’s offer of logistical support because they wanted to independently assess the projects.
“They want to see these projects we talked about. I think this is effective leadership, and I pray that this is responsible leadership,” the minister said.
Umahi said the decision by the students to travel across the country and assess infrastructure projects firsthand demonstrated their commitment to understanding the impact of the Federal Government’s infrastructure programme on Nigerians.
“They were tired of hearing the success story of the infrastructure revolution in Nigeria, and they ventured on their own to go and see for themselves how it positively impacts on the lives and safety of their students,” he said.
Presenting the findings of the inspection, the NANS President said the exercise was undertaken to establish the actual condition of the roads and understand their effects on education, mobility, safety and economic activities.
The student leaders commended the Federal Government for the quality and pace of construction observed, highlighting the use of durable pavement technology, improved drainage systems, road expansion and safety infrastructure, including solar-powered street lighting.
Responding to the students, Umahi said roads and bridges should not be viewed merely as physical infrastructure but as critical components of economic activity and national development.
“Let me tell you, it is the road and bridges sector, the works sector, that grows the GDP of every nation. And it is the backbone of all other GDP,” he said.
“When people cannot move from one point to another, it is tantamount to imprisonment. And a man that is imprisoned has no freedom. But while we are doing this beautiful infrastructure revolution in Nigeria, it is freedom we are giving to our people.”
The minister said this was part of the rationale behind the Federal Government’s focus on major highways and strategic road corridors across the country.
He also linked road infrastructure to national security, saying improved roads, street lighting and CCTV surveillance would reduce isolated sections of highways and strengthen the ability of security agencies and citizens to monitor and use the routes safely.
Umahi urged stakeholders and supporters of the administration to communicate with Nigerians using facts, projects and records, arguing that the scale of infrastructure development provided sufficient material for public engagement.
“We have bragging rights under President Bola Tinubu to campaign with. But our mouth will not be shut. We have to let people know what is happening now that never happened before,” he said.
He added: “I’m proud of what the President is doing in infrastructure. I’m proud of other gains we have made in various sectors of the economy. So we have to tell our stories. If you don’t say it, nobody may tell you.”
The minister further explained that the administration was prioritising durability in road construction, including the use of reinforced concrete pavement on selected major roads to improve longevity and reduce maintenance challenges.
“The President is very intentional because when the roads and bridges are done, then the country is on autopilot,” Umahi said.
He cited projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry corridor as examples of major infrastructure ambitions that had been discussed over the years. Only President Bola Tinubu is giving that opportunity to dream and then to perform,” he said.
Umahi also clarified that several Federal Government legacy road projects were not entirely new roads but involved the reconstruction, expansion and modernisation of existing routes.
He cited the Akwanga-Jos Road as an example and said the Gombe-Biu corridor was also being addressed. He added that the Ministry was designing the Gombe-Bauchi and Bauchi-Jos corridors as part of a broader connectivity strategy.
On the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the minister defended the strategic importance of the project, saying it should not be viewed simply as a Lagos project because a significant part of its route passes through the Niger Delta.
He said infrastructure investment across the coastal states would support economic development, regional connectivity and the long-term development of the Niger Delta.
Reacting to a statement by Ayede calling for his resignation, Umahi said he had no intention of leaving office and challenged critics to examine the infrastructure projects being executed across the country.
“I take note that Chief Ayede says that I should resign. I’m not about to resign. But if Ayede knows the projects that President Bola Tinubu has done in South-South, I think he will eat his words,” he said.
The minister maintained that the scale of ongoing construction demonstrated the administration’s response to Nigeria’s infrastructure needs.
“Take me anywhere in this country, any region that is not a construction site. And so we have a lot to campaign for the President. We have a lot,” he said.
Umahi also defended the administration’s fuel subsidy removal, urging political actors who propose a return to subsidy to explain how such a policy would be financed, particularly in relation to government revenues and debt obligations.
He called for constructive debate on the country’s future, saying political actors should present concrete policies and explain what they intend to do differently.
“So we should engage constructively to debate about the future of the country,” he said.
The minister further noted that improved road infrastructure could contribute to national security by reducing isolated areas along major routes and improving movement.
He cited the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano corridor, where solar-powered street lighting and planned surveillance infrastructure are being deployed, as an example of efforts to integrate security features into road projects.
According to Umahi, the infrastructure programme therefore extends beyond transportation to areas including commerce, education, security, investment and economic growth.
Addressing the concerns raised by the students, the minister directed relevant officials to consider their requests for pedestrian bridges around tertiary institutions.
“To the students, the pedestrian bridge you requested, I want the directors to take note of it. We’ll do it,” he said.
He specifically mentioned the University of Abuja and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, among institutions where pedestrian bridge requests were being considered.
“As long as you make your request for the safety of our students, we will definitely look into it,” Umahi assured.
He said future road designs would, where possible, incorporate safer access arrangements around tertiary institutions.
Umahi also encouraged NANS and other stakeholders to continue documenting and communicating their firsthand experiences of Federal Government projects, urging citizens to visit project sites and assess developments in their communities.
He called on the Senior Special Assistants to the President on Community Engagement to mobilise citizens across their respective states and zones to understand ongoing projects.
At the end of the engagement, Umahi announced additional support for the SSAs, saying he considered them partners in communicating government development initiatives.
He also announced that friends and partners had provided buses to support nationwide engagement activities and pledged continued cooperation.
The minister thanked the NANS leadership for what he described as a responsible approach to national development.
The Special Advisers to the President on Community Engagement also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Works for the road infrastructure projects being executed across their respective zones.
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