Asaba, Oshimili South
History
The French firm Dumez built the bridge in about a year, completing it in December 1965 at a cost of £6.75 million. It joined what were then the Western and Eastern regions of Nigeria.
During the Nigerian Civil War a section of the bridge was destroyed in 1967. It was later repaired and has carried traffic ever since.
The Second Niger Bridge
To take pressure off the old bridge, a 1.6-kilometre concrete bridge was built across the river between Asaba and Onitsha and inaugurated in 2023. The two now share the traffic.
Seeing it
The best way to see the old bridge is from the Asaba riverbank. Traffic on the bridge itself is heavy, so don't stop on it for photos. For clearer views, avoid the hazy harmattan months, roughly December to February.
Good to know
How long is the Niger Bridge?
About 1.4 kilometres (4,606 feet). The Second Niger Bridge, opened in 2023, is 1.6 kilometres long.
When was the Niger Bridge built?
Between 1964 and 1965. It was completed in December 1965.
Related
Sources
- River Niger Bridge (Wikipedia)
- Onitsha Bridge, 1965 (Structurae)
- Second Niger bridge (Wikipedia)
- Second River Niger Bridge (Julius Berger)
Last checked 10 September 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us on WhatsApp.
