ONITSHA, NIGERIA — The Federal Government has ordered a two-week closure of the First Niger Bridge, effective immediately, to allow for urgent maintenance work on the ageing infrastructure that connects the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the decision in a statement on Friday, directing motorists and commuters to use the Second Niger Bridge as an alternative route during the repair period. According to the ministry, the closure is necessary to address critical structural concerns on the bridge, which has served as a major artery for commercial and passenger traffic for decades.
The First Niger Bridge, which was completed in 1965, has become increasingly dilapidated due to years of heavy usage and inadequate maintenance. The repair work is expected to focus on reinforcing the bridge’s foundation, resurfacing the deck, and addressing wear and tear on key load-bearing components. The FG has assured road users that the maintenance will be carried out expeditiously to minimize disruption.
The Minister appealed to motorists, transport unions, and residents to cooperate with the temporary traffic diversion measures put in place by the Federal Ministry of Works and security agencies. He emphasized that the safety of road users was paramount and that the closure was a proactive step to prevent a potential disaster.
Traffic diversions are expected to be managed by the Federal Road Safety Corps and other security agencies. Motorists have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly and to exercise patience during the repair period. The FG also assured that adequate security and traffic control measures would be deployed along the alternative routes to manage the increased traffic flow expected on the Second Niger Bridge.
The Second Niger Bridge, which was completed in 2023, has significantly eased the traffic burden on the old bridge since its opening. However, the increased dependence on the new bridge during this closure will test its capacity to handle the surge in traffic.
This is not the first time the First Niger Bridge has faced closure for repairs. In March 2024, the bridge was partially shut down for a day after a trailer carrying a heavy load collided with the bridge’s overhead steel beams, temporarily obstructing the carriageway. The Federal Ministry of Works directed the contractor handling the bridge to carry out an integrity test to determine the extent of the damage.
The federal government has also announced plans for further structural assessments and repairs across other major bridges nationwide as part of its broader infrastructure renewal agenda. Transportation experts and commuters alike will be monitoring the situation closely as the two-week repair work begins on the historic bridge. The ministry has promised to provide regular updates on the progress of the repairs and any further developments regarding traffic management.
