Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The National Association of Nigerian Students has inspected the ongoing construction of the 69.4-kilometre Kano Northern Bypass, describing it as a landmark intervention that will ease transportation difficulties for students across Nigeria's North-West and calling on the Federal Government to sustain the momentum and complete the project without further delay.
The inspection, led by NANS President Comrade Afeez Akinteye, took place on Thursday as part of the association's Nationwide Federal Roads Project Tour, an initiative designed to assess the quality and progress of road projects leading to tertiary institutions across the country. In a statement issued in Ibadan on Friday, Akinteye said the delegation was impressed by the quality of construction and the pace of work observed on site, and commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for the foresight in initiating the project. "We must evaluate government projects firsthand, particularly those that directly affect Nigerian students," Akinteye said. "It is imperative to commend the foresight of the Honourable Minister of Works, David Umahi, under the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Tinubu, for identifying the challenges confronting the people and subsequently initiating the construction of a new road to ease the transportation burden on commuters."
According to the NANS president, the bypass stretches through Kano, Katsina, Zamfara and other North-Western states, and connects ten tertiary institutions in the region. He said that before its construction, there were persistent reports of heavy traffic in the heart of Kano, particularly along routes connecting different states, as well as distress complaints from students travelling from various locations to their campuses. "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," Akinteye said.
The project comprises a 69.4-kilometre dual carriageway, three flyovers and seven bridges, according to the students' association. The scope of the work underscores the scale of the intervention, which is intended to divert traffic away from Kano metropolis and provide a more direct route for travellers and goods moving between the North-East and North-West corridors. Akinteye also commended the Federal Government for compensating farmers whose agricultural land was acquired for the construction of the road. "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," he said.
The Kano Northern Bypass is a major component of the Federal Government's infrastructure agenda under the Renewed Hope Administration. The project is being executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (Nigeria) Limited, with the Federal Ministry of Works overseeing its delivery. The bypass begins from Danzaki on the Kano–Hadejia Road and ends on the Kano–Katsina Road, about nine kilometres from Kano metropolis on both sides. It is designed to enable motorists, particularly heavy-duty vehicles travelling between the North-East and North-West, to bypass Kano city entirely, significantly reducing travel time, traffic congestion and the cost of logistics. The road features reinforced concrete shoulders, a three-metre-wide concrete median designed for durability, and planned solar-powered street lighting intended to extend its lifespan to over fifty years.
The project has not been without challenges. A long-standing dispute had previously stalled construction on sections of the bypass, and compensation issues affecting some parts of the alignment have been processed. In January 2026, the project had achieved approximately 6.8 per cent completion, with notable progress recorded in site clearance, topsoil removal, earthworks, pavement layers and structural works. About 5.9 kilometres of pavement wearing course had been completed on both carriageways, and piling and pier works had commenced at several bridge locations. Officials have projected completion before the end of 2026, although NANS did not specify a timeline in its statement.
The students' body's intervention adds a significant voice to the debate over the pace of infrastructure delivery in Nigeria. As the most formidable pressure group in the country, NANS has increasingly positioned itself as a watchdog on government projects, particularly those that affect students. The Nationwide Federal Roads Project Tour is part of that effort, and the Kano inspection is one of several the association has conducted across the country. "Our mandate transcends advocacy, as we also serve as watchdogs in society," Akinteye said. "Thus, this ongoing Nationwide Federal Roads Project Tour leading to our campuses is crucial."
The economic significance of the bypass extends beyond student travel. The Federal Government has described the project as a critical national asset, noting that it will unlock economic opportunities, attract investments and stimulate development along its corridor. The road is expected to facilitate the easier movement of agricultural produce from rural areas to urban markets, improve the transportation network and decongest traffic from the North-East corridor. The Presidential aide on Community Engagement for the North-West, Hon. Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai, has said the bypass will provide direct access for travellers and goods moving between the North-East and North-West without passing through Kano city, and that it is one of 260 emergency road projects being completed nationwide, with 48 located in the North-West Zone.
For NANS, the inspection was an opportunity to affirm its commitment to holding government accountable while acknowledging progress where it is due. The association commended the Tinubu administration for its investment in infrastructure and for giving strategic consideration to the accessibility of campuses in road planning. But it also made clear that commendation is not the same as complacency. "We call on the government to intensify efforts and ensure that this road project is completed in earnest," Akinteye said. The message was clear: the Kano Northern Bypass is a project that matters to students, to commuters, and to the economy of northern Nigeria, and NANS will be watching to ensure that the promises made are kept.
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