The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has honoured the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, with the title of Grand Patron of NANS, in recognition of his contributions to road infrastructure development and his commitment to transforming Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape.
The honour was conferred on the Minister when the leadership of NANS, led by its Global President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, paid a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, on Monday, 10 August, 2026.
Speaking while receiving the student leaders, Minister Umahi expressed appreciation for the honour, describing NANS as a critical mass representing the present and future leadership of the country.
He congratulated the Association’s leadership on the confidence reposed in him and commended the Nigerian students, both at home and abroad for their courage, intellectual capacity, and commitment to national development.
Engr. Umahi said he had rarely accepted awards in the past but decided to accept the NANS’ honour because they represent the leaders of today and tomorrow.
“I am so grateful and humbled by the kind words you spoke about me. I rarely accept awards, but this is a body that is made up of our leaders, the future leaders and leaders of today and tomorrow,” he said.
The Minister urged Nigerian students to take an active interest in national issues, stressing the importance of being properly informed and guided by facts rather than sentiments, particularly in this era of social media.
He challenged the students to scrutinise government policies and programmes and take informed positions on issues affecting the nation.
The Minister also highlighted some of the major road infrastructure projects being executed under the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR noting that the projects were designed to improve connectivity, facilitate economic activities, create employment opportunities and strengthen national integration and development.
He cited the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway, the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Makurdi–Enugu corridor, the Port Harcourt-Bodo Bonny road project and other legacy/major projects across the country as evidence of the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development.
On the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano road project, the Minister explained that significant progress had been achieved, adding that the administration remained determined to complete the outstanding sections.
Umahi said the Federal Government was also introducing solar-powered street lighting and tree planting along strategic sections of some major highways to improve safety, visibility and aesthetics for road users and communities along the corridors.
According to him, “the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway remains a major economic investment that will open up new vistas of opportunity across the coastal corridor, while other legacy projects are being executed to cover more communities and connect previously isolated areas.
The Minister further disclosed that the Ministry had opened its road projects to greater public scrutiny, stressing that transparency and accountability remained central to the administration’s infrastructure development programme.
He disclosed that the Ministry had engaged relevant anti-corruption agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to inspect projects and ensure that contractors and officials remained accountable.
“We are ready for constructive criticism. We have nothing to hide in these projects. You are stakeholders and you are very important in the development of these projects,” Umahi stated.
The Minister welcomed the partnership with NANS and directed that it should be supported to embark on monitoring tours of Federal Government road projects across the country.
He also announced plans to provide vehicles for student representatives to monitor projects, stressing that the initiative was intended to allow students to see the projects firsthand, ask questions, and provide constructive feedback.
Umahi cautioned the students against confrontation with officials or contractors, urging them to carry out their monitoring responsibilities professionally, objectively, and honestly.
He said the partnership would also provide an opportunity for young Nigerians to understand the scale of infrastructure development taking place across the country and to contribute meaningfully to national discourse.
The Minister urged the students to focus on issues rather than personalities and to use their education and influence to promote national unity, responsible citizenship and economic development.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, commended NANS for recognising the work being undertaken by the Ministry and for choosing to establish a partnership with the Federal Government.
He described the honour bestowed on the Minister as a demonstration of confidence in his leadership and commitment to infrastructure development.
He assured the students that the Ministry remained open to scrutiny, constructive criticism and recommendations aimed at improving the quality and delivery of the Federal Government’s road projects.
“There is nothing we are doing in secret. Everything is open. We want you to go and see our projects, see where we are doing well and, where we are not meeting expectations, and call our attention to them. We are ready to amend, change, and take the right course.” he assured.
The Permanent Secretary urged the students to become responsible ambassadors of national development and to continue supporting initiatives that promote the progress and unity of Nigeria.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSA-P) on Student Engagement, Hon. Sunday Asefon, also commended President Tinubu and the Minister of Works for their commitment to infrastructure development.
Hon. Asefon stated that the Federal Government’s investment in road infrastructure was creating opportunities for young Nigerians and improving access to educational institutions and other critical services across the country.
He encouraged NANS to sustain its engagement with the government and ensure that students remained active participants in national development.
Earlier, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, announced the association’s decision to honour the Minister as Grand Patron of NANS, citing his hard work, commitment to excellence and achievements in road infrastructure development as parameters.
He described the visit to the Ministry as a “homecoming,” stressing that NANS was interested in building a strong partnership with the Ministry and creating opportunities for Nigerian students to visit and assess major/ legacy road projects being executed under the Tinubu administration.
According to him, the honour was in recognition of the Minister’s “hard work and immeasurable service to humanity,” adding that his achievements in road infrastructure are contributing significantly to economic growth and job creation for Nigeria’s teeming youths.
The NANS President noted that good road infrastructure was particularly important to students because it facilitates movement to educational institutions, examination centres and other destinations, while reducing travel time and transportation costs.
He described the honour as a vote of confidence in the Minister as one of the key drivers of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the infrastructure sector.
“We have a duty to contribute to the development of this country, and to that extent, we make bold to say that the scale of road projects completed under your leadership is worth recognition,” he said.
Comrade Babatunde pledged the association’s support for the Minister and expressed optimism that the partnership between NANS and the Federal Ministry of Works would be sustained in the interest of Nigerian students and the country at large.
The event marked a new phase of collaboration between the Ministry and the Nigerian student community, with both sides expressing commitment to transparency, accountability, and constructive engagement for sustainable national development.
Mohammed A. Ahmed,
Director, Information and Public Relations.
11 August, 2026.
