The Federal Government plans to engage 4,000 social media influencers to showcase infrastructure projects and communicate the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to Nigerians.
Minister of Works David Umahi disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a report from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) following its inspection of federal road projects in Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto states.
Umahi said the proposed influencer network would strengthen the government’s presence on social media, particularly among young Nigerians, as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
“We have to fight this social media war. So, we have to launch 4,000 social media influencers to tell our stories.”
The minister said the government needed to communicate more effectively about ongoing and completed infrastructure projects across the country.
He also asked NANS to advise the ministry on how young people and social media could be used to communicate the impact of federal projects.
NANS Inspects Federal Roads
The announcement followed a report by NANS on its inspection of federal road projects across four northern states.
The student leaders identified infrastructure and safety concerns around tertiary institutions and requested pedestrian bridges to improve access and protect students.
Umahi said the ministry would consider the construction of pedestrian bridges on roads leading to university campuses, as well as additional safety measures in future projects.
He commended the students for inspecting projects themselves and assessing their impact rather than relying solely on information circulating on social media.
Lagos-Calabar Highway Targeted for November
Umahi also said the main pavement covering 105 kilometres of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to be completed by November 2026.
The minister, however, raised concerns over vandalism along the highway, including the destruction of infrastructure and removal of safety installations.
He urged Nigerians to protect public infrastructure, warning that vandalism could undermine the benefits of government investments.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has faced scrutiny over issues including its alignment, environmental impact assessment and concerns about flooding in Lagos. The Federal Government has rejected claims that the highway caused flooding, with Umahi maintaining that the project includes drainage infrastructure designed to help evacuate water.
The minister said citizens should continue to monitor public projects and provide feedback while the government works to improve infrastructure delivery.
