The Federal Government has unveiled plans to mobilise 4,000 social media influencers, including TikTokers, YouTubers and other content creators, to publicise its infrastructure projects ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed the initiative on Tuesday, September 22, in Abuja while receiving a report from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on its inspection of federal road projects across four northern states.
Umahi said the proposed network would strengthen the government’s presence on social media and help communicate its achievements directly to Nigerians, particularly young people.
“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.
He explained that social media has become a critical platform for communicating the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and that the government needs to ensure Nigerians receive accurate information about ongoing and completed projects across the country.
Umahi said he was seeking advice from student leaders on how best to implement the initiative and stressed that the administration has numerous infrastructure projects that Nigerians should see and assess for themselves.
He did not disclose details on remuneration, recruitment criteria or the take-off date for the programme.
The announcement came after NANS leaders presented findings from their inspection of federal roads in Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto states. The students identified infrastructure gaps, especially around tertiary institutions, and requested additional pedestrian bridges to improve safety.
Responding, Umahi commended the students for inspecting the projects firsthand rather than relying solely on information circulating online, and promised that the ministry would consider their recommendations and incorporate pedestrian bridges and access roads where necessary.
Meanwhile, the minister said the main pavement covering 105 kilometres of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to be completed by November 2026. He, however, raised concerns over vandalism along the corridor, noting that some motorists drive through restricted construction zones while vandals remove metal components and damage block walls.
He urged Nigerians to protect public infrastructure, warning that destruction of newly built projects undermines public investment.
