The Federal Government has announced the closure of the First Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, for two weeks to allow for emergency rehabilitation and maintenance works.
The bridge will be fully closed to traffic from Monday, September 7, 2026, and is expected to reopen on Monday, September 21, 2026.
The Acting Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Timothy Emenike, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, advising motorists and other road users to use the Second Niger Bridge through Obosi towards Asaba, Delta State, and other destinations throughout the closure period.
Emenike said the Federal Ministry of Works would deploy appropriate traffic diversion arrangements, road signs, safety barriers and traffic-control personnel to ensure the safety of motorists, construction workers and other members of the public.
He said the closure was necessary due to the deteriorated condition of the First Niger Bridge, particularly the carriageway surface and some bridge components affected by vandalism.
According to him, the affected components include portions of the expansion-joint steelwork as well as stanchion and steel-truss nuts and bolts.
Emenike said the Minister of Works, David Umahi, expressed concern over the condition of the bridge during a recent working visit to Anambra State and directed the immediate commencement of emergency maintenance and rehabilitation works.
He added that Messrs SKECC, the contractor handling the Km 0+000–Km 20+000 section of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway, had been directed to commence the emergency works on the bridge.
The intervention, he said, would include milling and removing the deteriorated asphalt surface, laying approximately 40mm of asphalt wearing course, and carrying out other necessary maintenance and safety works.
Other planned works include the installation of solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television cameras, as well as the deployment of traffic-control and diversion measures.
Emenike said the intervention was aimed at restoring a safe, smooth and durable riding surface, improving motorability and reducing traffic difficulties around the First Niger Bridge axis.
He urged motorists to obey temporary traffic signs and diversion instructions, reduce speed, avoid reckless overtaking and follow the directions of traffic-control personnel and security agencies.
Motorists were also advised to allow additional travel time and, where practicable, use the Second Niger Bridge via the Obosi-Asaba route as the preferred alternative.
The ministry said construction activities would be carried out day and night to facilitate rapid completion and minimise the duration of traffic disruption.
It appealed to road users, residents, businesses and other affected stakeholders to cooperate with the traffic-management arrangements throughout the period of the closure.
The ministry said the temporary inconvenience was regretted but necessary in the public interest to restore the First Niger Bridge to a safer and more efficient condition and improve traffic flow along the critical national transportation corridor.
