The National Association of Oduduwa Students (NAOS) has expressed its strong disagreement with the recent comments attributed to Dr. Reuben Abati concerning the decision of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other student bodies to inspect Federal Government road projects across the country.
Dr. Abati reportedly questioned why students should be inspecting government road projects instead of concentrating solely on their studies, describing the development as curious and suggesting that students were becoming involved in activities associated with politicians.
With due respect to Dr. Abati and his contributions to public discourse, NAOS believes this position fundamentally misunderstands the meaning of responsible student leadership, citizenship and stakeholder participation in national development.
STUDENTS ARE DIRECT STAKEHOLDERS IN ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE
Road infrastructure is not an abstract government issue to Nigerian students. It directly affects access to campuses, transportation costs, punctuality, examination attendance, personal safety and the overall quality of students’ educational experience.
NANS has specifically explained that its nationwide road project tour is focused on Federal roads serving tertiary institutions and is intended to provide firsthand information about their condition, progress and impact on students.
Indeed, on September 23, 2026, the Federal Ministry of Information reported that the Minister of Works, David Umahi, received NANS’ assessment report on Federal road infrastructure in the North-West. The Ministry described the exercise as a responsible demonstration of youth participation in national development and said the students’ observations would be appropriately considered.
If students use these roads every day, why should they be discouraged from seeing firsthand how projects affecting their safety and mobility are being implemented?
MONITORING GOVERNMENT PROJECTS IS CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY.
NAOS firmly believes that studying and participating in civic affairs are not mutually exclusive.
A university, polytechnic or college student is not merely a person attending lectures. Students are also citizens, taxpayers’ dependants and beneficiaries of public infrastructure. They have a legitimate interest in understanding how public resources are being utilised, particularly when government projects directly affect their communities.
Project monitoring is also not the same thing as assuming the technical responsibilities of engineers, quantity surveyors or government agencies. Student leaders can observe, document, ask questions, engage communities and communicate concerns to the appropriate authorities without pretending to replace professional regulators.
Interestingly, the Federal Ministry of Works itself has stated that it welcomes scrutiny and constructive criticism of its projects. The Ministry previously encouraged NANS to undertake monitoring tours, allowing students to see projects firsthand and communicate their observations.
Therefore, it is difficult to understand why student participation in an activity that the responsible government ministry has welcomed should be portrayed as inappropriate.
THE STUDENT COMMUNITY HAS EXPERIENCED THE CONSEQUENCES OF BAD ROADS.
For years, poor road infrastructure has affected students travelling between campuses, homes, examination centres, industrial-training locations and other destinations.
NANS has identified the practical consequences of poor roads, including increased transportation costs, delays and difficulties accessing educational institutions.
Consequently, when student leaders visit a road project serving a tertiary institution, they are not engaging in an irrelevant political adventure.
They are investigating infrastructure that has a direct connection with student welfare.
ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIRES PARTICIPATION
Nigeria invests enormous public resources in infrastructure. The question should therefore not be “Why are students inspecting government projects?” but rather:
“How can citizens, students, professionals, civil society and government institutions work together to ensure that public projects deliver value?”
NAOS believes that effective governance requires monitoring, evaluation, transparency and feedback.
Where a project is progressing well, stakeholders should acknowledge it. Where there are shortcomings, they should be identified constructively and communicated to the relevant authorities. Where communities are affected, their experiences should form part of the conversation.
This is precisely why NANS’ decision to physically inspect road projects and submit its observations to the Ministry of Works deserves to be viewed within the broader framework of civic engagement and stakeholder participation. The Federal Ministry of Works itself has acknowledged the value of such firsthand assessment.
NAOS’ POSITION
The National Association of Oduduwa Students therefore respectfully disagrees with Dr. Reuben Abati’s characterization of the student road inspection exercise.
We urge respected public commentators, elders and opinion leaders to encourage Nigerian students to develop both academic excellence and civic consciousness.
Students should study. Absolutely.
But students should also understand the society in which they live, ask questions about policies and projects that affect their future, engage government constructively and demand accountability where necessary.
The Nigeria of tomorrow cannot be built by students who are told to remain spectators until graduation. It must be built by young people who combine education with responsible citizenship.
NAOS commends NANS and other sister student bodies participating in the inspection exercise for demonstrating that the Nigerian student community can contribute meaningfully to national development.
We encourage them to maintain professionalism, objectivity, transparency and constructive engagement throughout the exercise.
Student leadership is not only about defending students inside the classroom; it is also about understanding and protecting the environment in which students live, learn and build their future.
Signed:
Comrade Olalere Benedict Adetunji
National President
National Association of Oduduwa Students (NAOS)/ Coalition of Yoruba Youth & Students Movement.
07061830662.
