Gridlock Looms as Anambra Shuts First Niger Bridge for Two-Week Emergency Repairs

The Anambra State Government has announced the temporary closure of the historic First Niger Bridge, a vital economic artery connecting the southeastern region with the rest of Southern Nigeria. According to official directives, the bridge will be closed to all traffic from September 7 to September 21, 2026. This decisive step has become necessary to facilitate emergency maintenance and rehabilitation works overseen by the Federal Ministry of Works, aimed at restoring the deteriorating structure to a safer and more durable condition.

For decades, the First Niger Bridge has borne the heavy burden of interstate commerce, accommodating thousands of heavy-duty trucks, passenger buses, and private vehicles daily. However, years of relentless use combined with structural neglect have taken a severe toll. State officials confirmed that the rehabilitation became unavoidable due to the rapidly deteriorating state of the bridge’s carriageway and the destruction of key safety components, raising critical structural integrity concerns among engineering experts.

To mitigate the inevitable chaos that comes with shutting down such a major corridor, the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) has deployed personnel to strategic junctions. The Managing Director of ARTMA, Mr. Emeka Okonkwo, has urged motorists to exercise extreme patience, obey temporary road signs, and cooperate fully with traffic management personnel. During this two-week maintenance window, traffic will be systematically diverted, with motorists advised to utilize the Second Niger Bridge through Obosi towards Asaba, Delta State.