Student leaders and Wike call for protection and continuity of infrastructure projects

Calls to protect and sustain public infrastructure have come from student leaders in Kaduna and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, with both reports linking development projects to mobility, education, public services and the choices voters will make before the 2027 elections. The National Association of Nigerian Students president, Akinteye Afeez, made his appeal on Saturday during an inspection of ongoing and completed projects in Kaduna. Punch Nigeria said the NANS leadership was in the state for an extraordinary Senate meeting and used the visit to examine government infrastructure.

Afeez singled out the Kabala Costain-Aliyu Makama Link Road, saying it would connect northern and southern parts of Kaduna and improve access to farms, schools and healthcare. He urged young people not to allow facilities intended for their benefit to be vandalised, abandoned or destroyed. The NANS president also praised the rehabilitation of Ahmadu Bello Stadium, which he said included a football pitch, gymnasium and swimming pool.

The project, expected to be completed in November, was described as an opportunity for young people to develop sporting talent and remain positively engaged. Abdullahi Baba Ahmed, managing director of the Kaduna State Roads Agency, told the student leaders that the state had initiated 116 road projects covering about 1,400 kilometres across its 23 local government areas. He said 80 to 90 per cent had been completed, while the rest were at different stages.

Ahmed identified the 35-kilometre Gadan Gayan-Guraji-Kujama Road and a bridge of about 120 metres across the River Kaduna as a flagship scheme. He also cited completed internal roads at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and an access road to the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia. NANS said it would submit its observations to the state government.

Separately, Premium Times reported that Wike used an Independence Day message to urge FCT residents to elect leaders capable of continuing and expanding infrastructure development after the January 2027 general elections. He said the FCT administration had invested in roads, public transport, healthcare and education. Wike said road expansion, drainage and solar streetlights were being extended beyond central Abuja, while an ultramodern bus terminal had been built in Abuja Municipal Area Council and similar facilities were planned for Kuje, Bwari and Gwagwalada.

He also urged residents to protect public infrastructure and obey the law. The reports concern different jurisdictions, but share an emphasis on maintenance, equitable access and continuity beyond the current administrations.