The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has embarked on an inspection of federal roads in Ondo State as part of efforts to address road safety concerns affecting students and other commuters across the country.

The inspection exercise was led by the President of the association, Comrade Babatunde Akinteye, who headed a delegation of student leaders to assess the condition of key federal highways in the state.

The roads inspected include the Ilesa-Akure-Benin Road and the Ondo-Ore Highway, two major federal routes that serve as vital links for travellers, commercial vehicles and students moving within the South-West region.

According to NANS, the inspection forms part of the South-West phase of the association’s nationwide assessment of federal road projects, aimed at evaluating the state of roads and the progress of ongoing construction and rehabilitation works.

The student body said the initiative was conceived to draw attention to the challenges faced by Nigerian students and other road users who daily ply federal roads that are in deplorable condition.

NANS noted that the current state of some federal roads has become a source of serious concern, as deteriorating road conditions expose travellers to prolonged delays, accidents and other safety risks on the highways.

The association expressed worry that the poor condition of the roads could have direct implications for students’ academic activities, as many students depend on these routes to travel to and from their various institutions.

Comrade Akinteye, while speaking during the inspection, said the exercise was not just about assessing roads but about advocating for the safety, welfare and well-being of Nigerian students who are among the most frequent users of federal roads.

He explained that bad roads often lead to students arriving late for examinations, missing academic programmes and being exposed to security threats, especially when stranded due to vehicle breakdowns or traffic gridlocks.

The NANS President also pointed out that deplorable road conditions have contributed to an increase in road crashes, which have claimed the lives of many Nigerians, including students, in recent years.

During the inspection of the Ilesa-Akure-Benin Road, the delegation observed sections of the road that are currently undergoing rehabilitation, as well as portions that still require urgent attention to make them motorable and safe.

Similarly, on the Ondo-Ore Highway, the team assessed the level of work done and interacted with some road users who shared their experiences about the difficulties encountered while plying the route.

Akinteye commended the Federal Government and the contractors handling the projects for the work done so far, but stressed the need for improved pace and quality delivery to ensure that the roads meet acceptable standards.

He said NANS is particularly interested in the timely completion of the ongoing construction works, as any delay could continue to expose students and other commuters to avoidable hardship and safety hazards.

The student leader emphasised that federal roads should be constructed to last and to provide safer and more reliable journeys for all categories of road users, including students, traders, workers and other travellers.

NANS expressed hope that the ongoing construction would be completed on time and would meet acceptable quality standards, to ease movement and reduce the risks associated with travelling on bad roads.

The association also called on the Federal Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies to intensify monitoring of the projects to ensure that contractors adhere strictly to specifications and deliver quality jobs.

Akinteye reiterated that NANS would continue its nationwide assessment of federal roads across all geopolitical zones, with a view to compiling a comprehensive report on the state of federal roads and making recommendations to government.

He assured that the association would not relent in advocating for better infrastructure for Nigerian students, noting that good roads are essential to educational development, economic growth and national integration.

NANS, therefore, urged the Federal Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of federal roads, especially those that serve as major links for students and commuters, to guarantee safer, smoother and more reliable transportation across the country.