Student unions threaten nationwide protests over ‘deplorable’ federal roads
The joint leadership of student unions across Nigerian tertiary institutions has issued a threat to embark on a nationwide protest on February 4 over what they describe as the “deplorable state” of federal roads across the country.
The unions, the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), the National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Students (NANCES), and the National Association of University Students (NAUS), made the declaration in a statement released on Sunday.
According to the groups, many federal highways have turned into “corridors of preventable and avoidable death,” claiming the lives of students, workers, traders, families, and transport operators on a daily basis.
They stressed that the planned protest is not targeted at the Nigerian state but is meant to draw attention to what they described as institutional neglect, weak supervision, and the normalization of avoidable fatalities on major roads.
The unions also called for the removal of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, holding him responsible for the continued deterioration of federal highways.
They expressed particular concern about roads located within or close to tertiary institutions, which they said expose students to constant danger. Among the highways listed were the Abuja–Lokoja–Okene Road (Felele axis) near the Federal University Lokoja and Kogi State Polytechnic; the Benin–Okpella–Auchi–Okene Road near Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and Auchi Polytechnic; and the Ibadan–Oyo–Ogbomosho Road near Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
Other routes mentioned include the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway (Awka axis) near Nnamdi Azikiwe University; the Onitsha–Owerri Road (Ihiagwa axis) near the Federal University of Technology, Owerri; the Jos–Zaria Road near the University of Jos; and the Aba–Port Harcourt Road around Rivers State University and Abia State University corridors.
The unions also cited the Ilorin–Jebba Road near the University of Ilorin; the Calabar–Itu–Ikot Ekpene Road near the University of Calabar; the East–West Road (Choba/Aluu axis) near the University of Port Harcourt; and the North Gboko–Katsina-Ala Road.
They said the affected roads are characterised by collapsed road surfaces, uncontrolled movement of heavy-duty trucks, absence of pedestrian bridges, poor lighting, and recurring loss of young lives.
Calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, the unions urged him to relieve the minister of works of his duties and appoint what they described as a more credible and people-focused replacement.
They warned that the current condition of federal highways undermines the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and falls short of the president’s vision for a safe and humane Nigeria.
“No reform agenda can succeed where citizens die daily on roads meant to connect opportunity, not coffins,” the statement added.
