The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), under the leadership of Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, has defended its ongoing nationwide assessment of roads leading to tertiary institutions, describing the exercise as a student safety and welfare initiative.
The association made this known in a statement signed by Adesakin Adefemi, Special Adviser to the NANS President on Publicity and Crisis Communication Management, on Friday, September 25, 2026.
The statement followed comments attributed to broadcaster and former presidential spokesperson, Dr Reuben Abati, questioning the rationale behind NANS’ nationwide assessment of roads connected to tertiary institutions.
NANS said Nigerian students are among the country’s major groups of road users, noting that students travel on federal and state highways daily to attend lectures, examinations and other academic activities.
According to the association, the nationwide tour includes assessments of road infrastructure executed by the Federal Ministry of Works, under the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, as well as abandoned and dilapidated roads considered critical to student movement.
NANS said its mandate goes beyond issues within campuses, arguing that it has a responsibility to engage with national policies and infrastructure where such issues affect the welfare, safety and future of students.
The association cited several road crashes which it said involved students, including incidents reportedly involving students of the University of Maiduguri, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Federal University Lokoja, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Benin between 2023 and 2025.
NANS said the incidents demonstrate the need for greater attention to road safety around routes frequently used by students and other members of the academic community.
The association said it would collate findings from the nationwide assessment and formally submit them to the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Works and the National Assembly for consideration and possible intervention.
It urged Dr Abati and other stakeholders to view the exercise as a non-partisan advocacy initiative focused on road safety and the wider public interest.
“Students traverse federal and state highways daily in pursuit of academic activities, making road safety a core student welfare issue,” NANS said.
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