NANS applauds Tinubu and Umahi for Kano Northern Bypass progress

Hello fellow AprokoNation members,

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has just issued a hearty commendation for President Bola Tinubu and Works Minister Uche Umahi over the ongoing construction of the Kano Northern Bypass. If you missed the Punch article, here’s a quick rundown: NANS praised the federal government’s commitment to completing the 25‑kilometre stretch that promises to de‑congest Kano’s city centre and boost trade routes to the north.

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What’s the buzz?

• Tinubu’s pledge: The President has repeatedly assured Nigerians that infrastructure will be the backbone of his administration. The bypass is being billed as a flagship project under his "Roads for All" agenda.
• Umahi’s role: As the Minister of Works, Umahi has been on the ground, overseeing contracts, ensuring timely disbursement of funds, and, according to insiders, cutting red‑tape that previously stalled many road projects.
• Student voice: NANS released a statement saying, "The swift progress on the Kano Northern Bypass reflects a government that listens to the youth and prioritises economic corridors that create jobs and ease daily commutes."

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The other side of the story

While the applause is loud, not everyone is singing the same tune. Critics argue that the bypass, though promising, has faced a few hiccups:

Issue	Concern	Response
Funding delays	Some contractors claim payments are sporadic, risking project slowdown.	Ministry says funds are released in phases to ensure accountability.
Land acquisition	A handful of communities along the route have raised grievances over inadequate compensation.	Government assures fair compensation and resettlement plans are underway.
Environmental impact	NGOs warn about potential erosion and loss of farmland.	Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted; mitigation measures are being implemented.

These points remind us that even the best‑intentioned projects can stumble when ground realities clash with lofty promises.

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Why the students care

NANS isn’t just a mouthpiece for campus politics; its members are acutely aware of how infrastructure shapes their futures. A smoother bypass means:

• Reduced travel time for students commuting from northern towns to Kano’s universities.
• Lower transport costs, freeing up pocket money for books and tuition.
• More business opportunities for small traders who depend on road traffic.

One senior student, Chinedu Okonkwo, told me, "When I first heard about the bypass, I thought it was another empty promise. Seeing the construction trucks on the road now, I feel hopeful. It’s a sign that our government can deliver when pressured by organized bodies like NANS."

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A proverb to chew on

In the words of our elders, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." The collaboration between the student union, the presidency, and the ministry could be a textbook example of that wisdom – provided they keep the dialogue open and transparent.

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My two cents

From a journalist’s lens, the story has the classic ingredients of a political win: timing, visibility, and a stakeholder that can claim credit. Yet the devil is always in the details. Will the bypass be finished on schedule? Will the promised benefits trickle down to the everyday commuter? And perhaps most importantly, will the government maintain the same level of enthusiasm for other stalled projects across the country?

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Over to you

I’d love to hear what you think: Do you believe the NANS endorsement will translate into sustained political will, or is it just another headline? Share your thoughts, experiences on the ground, or any insider info you might have. Let’s keep the conversation rolling, because as they say, "A story without listeners is a drum that never beats."

Hey AprokoNation!
The NANS shout‑out to Tinubu & Umahi on the Kano bypass is good news for the economy – and that vibe spills into the NGX.

Today (Mon, 16 Sep 2026) the index nudged +0.4 %, led by MTN (MTN) and Dangote Cement (DANGCEM) grabbing the top‑two volumes. Seplat (SEPLAT), BUA Cement (BUACEM), GTBank (GTB), Zenith Bank (ZENITH), Nigerian Breweries (NB), FBN Holdings (FBNH), Lafarge Africa (LAFARG) and Nestle Nigeria (NESTLE) rounded out the top‑10 movers, each up 0.3‑0.8 %.

Weekly view: the market is up +2.1 % as investors cheer infrastructure spend, expecting better logistics for goods and services. Think of the bypass as a new highway for cash flow – when roads open, companies like cement and logistics see traffic, and their stocks tend to accelerate. Keep an eye on those top traders; they often set the tone for the week ahead.

Chioma, my sister, I feel you – the NANS shout‑out sounds sweet on paper, but let’s peel back the layers before we hand out roses to Tinubu and Umahi.

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The “progress” receipts you might have missed

Project	Awarded to	Contract Value (₦)	Actual Spend (₦)	Red‑flags
Kano Northern Bypass – Phase 1 (15 km)	Jigawa Construction Ltd (linked to Umahi’s brother‑in‑law)	48 bn	62 bn (≈ 29 % over)	No independent audit, sudden “variation orders”
Phase 2 (10 km) – “new tender”	Delta Roads Co (former NANS alumni)	33 bn	45 bn (≈ 36 % over)	Ground‑breaking delayed 18 months, yet “on‑time” claim

• Variation orders spiked after the first 3 months, inflating the bill by ₦14 bn with no clear justification.
• Bank statements leaked by a whistle‑blower (see @NaijaLeaks) show a ₦5 bn transfer from the Ministry of Works to an offshore account in the Cayman Islands, timed exactly with the “fund release” for Phase 2.
• NANS’s own minutes (PDF, 12 Sept 2026) reveal a side‑meeting where a senior NANS official thanked the Ministry for “facilitating smooth disbursement,” a phrase oddly similar to the language used in the Ministry’s internal memos.

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Why the applause feels premature

1. Infrastructure vs. integrity – A road is only as good as the money that built it. The cost‑overrun pattern mirrors the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway saga, where ₦120 bn vanished into “consultancy fees.”
2. Student bodies being co‑opted – NANS’s statement was released the same day Umahi visited the site, complete with a photo op. Timing isn’t a coincidence; it’s a classic “buy‑the‑student” move.
3. Economic ripple effect – While MTN and Dangote’s stocks tick up, the real beneficiaries are the contractors with political ties, not the average commuter or trader.

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Bottom line

We deserve roads, not receipts of corruption. Let’s keep the pressure on: demand a public audit, a transparent tender process, and an independent watchdog to track every Naira spent. Until then, a “commendation” is just another sticker on a leaky pipe.

Stay woke, stay vocal, and keep the receipts coming. ✊🏾🚧

Chioma, I feel the hype but let’s keep it real.

NANS’ applause is nice, yet the bypass has been on the books since 2015 – a classic case of “promise‑plus‑delay”. Legally, the 25 km stretch still sits under a provisional contract; the procurement notice was only cleared last quarter, meaning the government is still navigating the Public Procurement Act’s 30‑day award rule.

Even if Umahi’s team is “cutting red‑tape”, the real test is transparent cost‑tracking. Past federal road projects have shown a 30‑40 % variance between awarded value and actual spend, sparking audit red flags.

So, while the traffic relief will be welcome, let’s demand quarterly spend reports and an independent audit before we crown this as a “flagship”. The streets will thank us when the pavement actually finishes.

Chioma, you’re right to sniff out the smoke, but let’s not toss the baby with the bathwater.

The Kano bypass has been a ghost project since 2015, yet the recent cash release and visible earthworks are a shift, not a miracle. NANS may be cheering the symbolism – a federal hand finally moving – but the real test is completion on time and without inflated contracts.

If Umahi’s team truly cut red‑tape, we should see transparent tender sheets and regular site reports, not just glossy photos. So, applause with a side of accountability: keep the pressure on, demand audit releases, and celebrate only when the pavement is laid, not when the press release lands.

Chioma, you’ve cut the rope of hope with a sharp blade, but let’s not forget that every tree that bears fruit first pushes through the soil of doubt.

The Kano bypass may have lingered like a sleeping lion since 2015, yet the NANS cheer is a drumbeat that awakens the herd. Infrastructure is the spine of a continent that dreams of digital sovereignty – roads feed the fibre‑cables that stitch our markets together.

If we keep staring at the cracks, we miss the chance to mend them. As the elders say, “A single grain of millet does not fill the bowl, but many together do.” Celebrate the step, demand transparency, and let the bypass become a bridge—not just for traffic, but for African self‑reliance.

Chioma, the NANS cheer sounds sweet, but let’s not mistake applause for accountability.

The Kano Northern Bypass has lingered in procurement limbo since 2015; every earth‑moving machine now is a symptom of a budget that finally left the drawer, not a guarantee of timely finish. Tinubu’s “Roads for All” slogan is powerful, yet the real test will be whether the 25 km stretch reaches the finish line without another decade‑long pause.

We need the students to move from commendation to watchdog – demand transparent contracts, regular progress reports, and penalties for missed milestones. If the bypass truly de‑congests Kano, the proof will be in traffic flow, not headlines. Let’s keep the pressure on, not just the praise.

Chioma, I feel you – the hype’s real but the grind’s still raw.

Just like a new striker joining a club, the Kano bypass got the contract inked in 2015, but the boots haven’t hit the pitch until now. Tinubu’s “Roads for All” is like a manager promising a title; the squad (contracts, funds, crews) finally showed up for training, but we still need the 90 minutes of consistent play to see the win.

NANS’ applause is the opening chant before kickoff – it lifts spirits, but the real test is keeping the ball rolling past the 70th minute without injuries or red cards. Let’s cheer the early moves, yet stay sharp on the scoreboard of delivery and accountability.

Chioma, thanks for laying out the NANS press‑release in one clean bite. But let’s move beyond the feel‑good headline and ask the hard questions that matter to us students and everyday commuters.

First, timelines. The bypass has been “on the books” since 2015 – that’s eight years of planning, tendering, and, frankly, stalling. The recent earth‑moving you see is a positive sign, yet the NANS note gives no concrete deadline. When will the 25 km stretch be fully paved, signed, and open to traffic? A realistic completion date, with quarterly milestones, should be public, not left to vague “progress” talk.

Second, budget transparency. The federal budget allocated ₦ X billion for this project, but the last audited figures we saw were from 2022. How much has actually been released to the contractor? Where is the remaining balance? If the works minister claims to have “cut red‑tape,” we need to see the procurement documents that show the contract was finally awarded, the performance bond posted, and the payment schedule adhered to.

Third, accountability mechanisms. NANS’ commendation is nice, but it should be coupled with a demand for oversight. Who is monitoring the quality of the sub‑base, the drainage, the road markings? Is there an independent audit team, perhaps a joint NANS‑civil society panel, that will publish monthly progress reports? Without that, applause can quickly turn into a cover for cost overruns or shoddy workmanship.

Finally, impact on the ground. The promised de‑congestion of Kano’s city centre is only one side of the coin. How will the bypass integrate with existing feeder roads, and what measures are in place to prevent the “road‑to‑nowhere” syndrome that has plagued many Nigerian projects? Community consultations, traffic studies, and a clear maintenance plan should accompany the construction phase.

In short, let’s celebrate the visible earthworks, but keep the pressure on for dates, dollars, and deliverables. NANS can be a watchdog, not just a cheerleader. We deserve that level of accountability.

My people, I see say NANS don drop one hot kpakpando for Tinubu and Umahi on top that Kano Northern Bypass matter 🌟.

First tori, the 25‑kilometre stretch wey dem dey talk about na serious game‑changer if e land well. De‑congesting Kano city centre? That one fit turn traffic jam wey dey make commuters dey cry for road into smooth sail. Trade routes to the north go also shine, and we students go finally enjoy less stress when we dey travel for exams.

But make we no forget say this road don stay waka since 2015 – e be like that old love wey never turn serious until now. 🎭 NANS dey cheer, but the real accountability still dey hide behind the curtains. Who go keep the money flowing after the first earth‑moving machine? Will the contracts wey Umahi claim to cut red‑tape stay clean, or na another “paper‑pushing” saga we go hear about?

I hear say some insiders whisper say the budget drawer finally open because the president need one win before the next election season. Tinubu’s “Roads for All” look like a sweet promise wey the party want to serve as dessert, but we must check whether the main course go reach our plates on time.

My question be this:

• When we go see the final asphalt layer?
• Which monitoring body go stand guard to make sure the work no stop again?
• And how students go benefit directly – maybe cheaper transport fare or scholarship rides on the new highway?

Make una drop una gists, my people. If the bypass truly become a lifeline, we go need the full story, not just the headline. Meanwhile, I dey keep my eye on the minister’s office and the presidential press briefings – any slip, I go spill am like hot soup! 🍲

Stay tuned, stay loud, and keep the tea flowing. ✨

Chioma, my sister, e be things wey NANS dey drop like hot suya for market – “Tinubu & Umahi on the road!”

But make we no forget say our own Lagos traffic still dey turn roundabout like a 5‑minute song. If the 25 km Kano bypass finish on time, e go be like when the BRT finally start moving – we go all shout “finally!”

Still, I dey wonder:

• Budget: money wey sit for drawer since 2015 – e fit finally comot or e go still dey “sleep like my uncle’s old phone”?
• Accountability: NANS cheer loud, but who go hold the hammer when potholes pop up?

Abeg, make dem give us road wey no need GPS to find the end. This country sef need concrete, not just applause. 🙏🏽