NANS HONOURS WORKS MINISTER UMAHI AS GRAND PATRON, COMMENDS ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE DRIVE
The National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS), has honoured the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, as Grand Patron of NANS in recognition of his contributions to road infrastructure development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The honour was conferred during a courtesy visit by the NANS leadership, led by its Global President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, on Monday, 11th August, 2026.
Receiving the student leaders, the Minister expressed appreciation for the honour and described NANS as “the present and future leadership of the country.”
“I rarely accept awards, but this is a body made up of our leaders today and tomorrow,” he said.
Sen. Umahi urged Nigerian students to take informed interest in national issues and to scrutinise government policies with facts rather than sentiments. He welcomed a partnership with NANS for project monitoring and directed that student representatives be supported to embark on tours of Federal Government road projects across the country. He also announced plans to provide vehicles to facilitate the monitoring.
“We are ready for constructive criticism. We have nothing to hide in these projects. Go and see our projects, see where we are doing well and where we are not meeting expectations, and call our attention to them. We are ready to amend and take the right course,” Umahi stated.
In a statement by Mohammed Ahmed, Director of Information and Public Relations, he cautioned the students to carry out monitoring professionally and objectively, without confrontation with officials or contractors.
Highlighting key projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister cited the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway, Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Makurdi–Enugu corridor, and Port Harcourt-Bodo-Bonny road as evidence of government’s commitment to connectivity, economic growth and job creation.
He added that the administration was introducing solar-powered street lighting and tree planting along strategic highway sections to improve safety and aesthetics, noting that the Ministry had also engaged the ICPC to inspect projects and ensure accountability.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, commended NANS for the recognition and assured that the Ministry remains open to scrutiny and recommendations to improve project delivery.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Hon. Sunday Asefon, stated that the government’s investment in road infrastructure was creating opportunities for young Nigerians and improving access to institutions.
Earlier, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde said the honour was in recognition of the Minister’s “hard work and immeasurable service to humanity.” He noted that good roads reduce travel time and costs for students and pledged NANS’ support for the partnership with the Ministry.
The engagement marks a new phase of collaboration between the Ministry and the Nigerian student community on transparency, accountability and sustainable development.
