By Adeola Badru

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised concerns over the safety of students and other commuters using the Owo–Benin, Akure–Owo and Ilesa roads, urging improved attention to federal road infrastructure across the South-West.

The association expressed the concerns after its nationwide federal roads project tour, during which its delegation inspected the three roads serving Ondo State and other parts of the region.

NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, who led the delegation, said thousands of students travelled daily along the routes to their respective institutions, making their condition a major concern for students’ 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 said the Ilesa Road was equally important to students and other commuters travelling within the South-West, adding that its condition remained a key consideration in assessing federal road infrastructure across the region.

The NANS president explained that the inspection was part of the association’s efforts to assess federal road projects, identify areas requiring improvement and demand accountability in infrastructure delivery.

“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 also acknowledged the Federal Government’s road development efforts under President Bola Tinubu and the supervision of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, whom he described as an “Infrastructure Bulldozer”.

However, the association did not identify specific safety hazards discovered during the inspection or pinpoint sections of the three roads requiring urgent repairs in its statement.

NANS said it remained committed to constructive engagement with the government and 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 inspection was intended to assess ongoing federal road projects and highlight areas requiring improvement to ensure that road infrastructure adequately served students and the wider public.