Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Association of Nigerian Students has officially commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for the ongoing construction of the Kano Northern Bypass, a project the student body says will transform the daily experience of thousands of students travelling to campuses across Nigeria's North-West. The commendation, issued on Friday, September 18, 2026, followed an on-the-spot assessment of the project by a delegation of the association led by its President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez. The inspection formed part of NANS' nationwide tour of federal road projects leading to tertiary institutions, an initiative designed to hold the government accountable for infrastructure that directly affects student welfare.
According to the statement issued in Ibadan, the bypass stretches across Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, and other north-western states, and is expected to ease the chronic traffic congestion that has long plagued the region's major routes. Afeez noted that the project, which comprises a 69.4-kilometre dual carriageway, three flyovers, and seven bridges, connects ten tertiary institutions across the North-West. "Before now, there have been several reports of heavy traffic in the heart of Kano, particularly along routes connecting different states, as well as distress reports from Nigerian students travelling from various locations to their respective campuses," Afeez said. "However, upon completion, this bypass is expected to ease traffic congestion in the heart of Kano, particularly for students and other commuters plying the route to connect different states."
The NANS president praised the Minister of Works for what he described as the foresight to identify the transportation challenges confronting residents and initiate a project to address them. He said the quality of construction and the pace of work observed during the inspection were highly commendable. "It is imperative to commend the foresight of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, for identifying the challenges confronting the people and subsequently initiating the construction of a new road to ease the transportation burden on commuters," Afeez said. He also praised the Tinubu administration for its sustained investment in infrastructure and its efforts to improve road connectivity across the country, noting that the consideration given to campus accessibility in the planning of the project was particularly significant to students.
Beyond the engineering scope of the project, NANS also commended the Federal Government for compensating farmers whose agricultural land was acquired for the construction of the bypass. Afeez said the payment of compensation demonstrated consideration for the livelihoods of those affected and reflected the importance of balancing infrastructural development with the interests of host communities. "The affected area had previously been used for farming before work began on the bypass," he said. "The payment of compensation demonstrates consideration for the livelihoods of those affected by the project and reflects the importance of balancing infrastructural development with the interests of host communities."
The student body, however, did not stop at commendation. NANS urged the Federal Government to sustain the pace of work and ensure the timely completion of the project, stressing that its impact on students and other commuters travelling across the north-western corridor would be substantial once delivered. "We therefore call on the government to intensify efforts and ensure that this road project is completed in earnest," Afeez added. The association framed its inspection as part of its mandate to serve as a watchdog over government projects that directly affect the welfare of Nigerian students. "As major stakeholders in nation-building, we are particular about the welfare of Nigerian students," Afeez said. "As the most formidable pressure group in the country, our mandate transcends advocacy, as we also serve as watchdogs in society."
The Kano Northern Bypass is one of several road infrastructure projects currently being monitored by NANS under its nationwide tour, which the association says will continue across the country. The initiative reflects a growing recognition among student leaders that infrastructure is not an abstract policy issue but a daily reality that shapes access to education, safety, and opportunity. For students travelling between campuses in Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, and beyond, the completion of the bypass could mean the difference between hours of frustration and a smoother, safer journey. Whether the government will meet the expectations it has raised remains to be seen, but for now, the students have made their position clear: they are watching, and they expect results.
The commendation from NANS comes amid a broader national conversation about the state of Nigeria's road infrastructure, which has been a recurring source of public frustration. The Kano Northern Bypass, with its dual carriageway, flyovers, and bridges, represents one of the more ambitious projects under the Tinubu administration's infrastructure agenda. If completed on schedule and to the promised standard, it could serve as a model for how targeted road projects can address specific needs, such as student mobility, while also delivering broader economic benefits. The student body's decision to inspect the project and publicly endorse it is a signal that civil society, particularly youth-led organisations, is willing to engage constructively with government when it sees tangible progress. That engagement, in turn, creates a form of accountability that no amount of official pronouncements can replace.
For now, the project continues. The contractors are working. The students are watching. And the promise of a bypass that connects ten campuses, eases congestion, and respects the livelihoods of displaced farmers remains a promise yet to be fully kept. NANS has done its part. It has inspected, commended, and urged. The rest, as the students have made clear, is up to the government.
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