The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed concern over the safety of students and other road users travelling along the Owo–Benin, Akure–Owo and Ilesa roads, calling for greater attention to federal road infrastructure in the South-West.
The association raised the concerns following its nationwide inspection of federal road projects, during which its delegation assessed the three routes serving Ondo State and other parts of the region.
NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, who led the delegation, said thousands of students use the roads daily to travel to their institutions, making their condition a major issue for student welfare, safety and access to education.
“These roads are of crucial importance to Nigerian students, particularly those travelling to Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), and the University of Benin.
“Thousands of students commute along these routes daily, making their condition a direct concern for our welfare, safety and access to quality education,” Afeez said.
He also highlighted the importance of Ilesa Road to students and other commuters travelling across the South-West, noting that its condition was an important factor in evaluating federal road infrastructure in the region.
According to him, the inspection was part of NANS’ efforts to evaluate federal road projects, identify areas needing improvement and promote accountability in infrastructure development.
“As student leaders, our responsibility is not merely to demand good roads but also to assess ongoing federal road projects, acknowledge commendable work and draw attention to areas requiring improvement,” he said.
Afeez acknowledged the Federal Government’s road development initiatives under President Bola Tinubu, with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, overseeing the projects. He described Umahi as an “Infrastructure Bulldozer”.
However, NANS did not specify any safety hazards observed during the inspection or identify particular sections of the three roads that urgently require repairs.
The association reiterated its commitment to engaging constructively with the government and ensuring accountability in the delivery of public infrastructure.
“As the voice of Nigerian students, we remain committed to constructive intellectual engagement and accountability. We also remain committed to advancing the collective will of Nigerian students,” Afeez said.
He added that the nationwide tour was designed to evaluate ongoing federal road projects and identify areas requiring attention to ensure the roads adequately serve students and the general public.
