Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Minister of Works David Umahi has directed that illegal advertisements on the First Niger Bridge be removed and replaced with photographs of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the ongoing rehabilitation of the major link between Anambra and Delta states is completed.
Umahi gave the directive on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, while inspecting rehabilitation works at the Onitsha end of the bridge.
He also said the bridge is expected to reopen to motorists next week, following the completion of major structural repairs and other outstanding works.
Umahi Directs Removal of Illegal Advertisements
During the inspection, Umahi instructed the contractor, SKECC, to remove unauthorised advertisements mounted on the bridge.
He said anyone seeking to advertise on the facility should obtain approval from the Federal Ministry of Works.
Reports of the minister’s remarks said he subsequently directed that photographs of President Tinubu should be displayed on the bridge, linking the move to the administration’s infrastructure projects in the South-East.
The directive forms part of a wider set of instructions issued during the inspection, which included additional rehabilitation, security and maintenance measures.
First Niger Bridge Reopening Expected Next Week
The Federal Government closed the First Niger Bridge to traffic on September 7 for emergency rehabilitation after the discovery of vandalised structural components.
The closure was initially scheduled to end on September 21 but was extended by one week after persistent rainfall disrupted construction activities.
Umahi said the contractor had replaced and secured the vandalised bolts, while the specialised expansion joint removed from the bridge had been manufactured and brought into Nigeria for installation.
The minister stressed that the government would not reopen the bridge simply to meet a deadline.
“We are not going to be stampeded to open the bridge until the major structural work has been achieved,” Umahi said.
According to the minister, the bridge is now expected to reopen next week, subject to the completion of the necessary rehabilitation work and safety requirements.
Vandalism Triggered Emergency Repairs
The emergency intervention followed the discovery that vandals had removed critical components from the bridge, including bolts, nuts and portions of the expansion-joint steelwork.
The damage raised concerns about the safety and structural integrity of the ageing bridge, prompting the Federal Ministry of Works to order its temporary closure.
The bridge connects Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State and is an important transport route for motorists and commercial traffic travelling between the South-East and other parts of Nigeria.
During the closure, motorists were advised to use the Second Niger Bridge and alternative routes.
The temporary shutdown also increased journey times and transport difficulties for commuters and businesses dependent on the crossing.
CCTV and Streetlights Ordered
Beyond repairing the vandalised components, Umahi ordered additional security measures to protect the bridge from further vandalism.
The minister directed the installation of additional solar-powered streetlights and the completion of CCTV cameras.
The surveillance system is expected to be linked with the Second Niger Bridge, providing authorities with a broader monitoring arrangement around the infrastructure.
Umahi also directed an empirical assessment of the bridge’s structural elements above and below the water level.
The assessment is intended to establish the condition of the structure and identify any additional work required.
He ordered that the assessment report be submitted before the current phase of rehabilitation is concluded.
Additional Rehabilitation Works
The minister directed the contractor to undertake further work on the bridge, including repainting structural components, bridge caps and sections of the internal carriageway.
He also ordered a review of proposed asphalt works on the bridge approaches.
Umahi said concrete should be used on sections that may later require reconstruction, arguing that this would prevent public funds from being spent on asphalt that could subsequently be removed.
He further indicated that one carriageway could be opened once the concrete reaches the required strength while work continues on the other carriageway.
Governments Urged to Prevent Further Vandalism
The minister has also called on the Anambra and Delta state governments to monitor scrap markets more closely to prevent stolen bridge components from being traded.
He expressed concern about the cost of repairing infrastructure damaged by vandals and said the government had spent significant resources replacing the stolen bolts, nuts and expansion-joint components.
The warning highlights a wider challenge facing Nigeria’s infrastructure, where theft of metal components and other materials can create safety risks while increasing the cost of public maintenance.
For the First Niger Bridge, preventing further vandalism will be particularly important once traffic resumes.
Political Context Surrounding Tinubu’s Pictures
Umahi’s directive concerning President Tinubu’s photographs comes against the backdrop of continuing political debate in the South-East ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Reports of the minister’s remarks also included an appeal concerning political support for Tinubu and criticism of the idea of supporting Peter Obi instead. These were political statements made by Umahi and are separate from the technical details of the bridge rehabilitation.
The rehabilitation itself, however, is an infrastructure project being undertaken by the Federal Government, while the directive to display the President’s photographs represents the minister’s stated position regarding how the completed facility should be presented.
Why the First Niger Bridge Matters
The First Niger Bridge remains an important transport connection between Anambra and Delta states.
Its location makes it significant for passenger movement, commercial transportation and the movement of goods between the South-East and other parts of Nigeria.
The recent closure demonstrated the consequences of disruptions on the route, with motorists having to depend more heavily on the Second Niger Bridge and alternative roads.
The rehabilitation is therefore not only about restoring traffic but also about addressing structural deterioration and strengthening the protection of the facility.
The installation of CCTV cameras and solar-powered lighting could provide additional tools for monitoring the bridge, while the structural assessment could help authorities identify problems requiring attention beyond the immediate emergency repairs.
What Happens Next
The Federal Government expects the First Niger Bridge to reopen to motorists next week after the outstanding rehabilitation works are completed.
Before reopening, the authorities are expected to ensure that critical structural repairs have been completed and that the bridge meets the necessary safety requirements.
The government is also expected to receive the structural assessment covering components above and below the water level.
Meanwhile, the additional security measures, including CCTV cameras and solar-powered streetlights, are intended to reduce the risk of further vandalism.
The reopening will mark the end of the current emergency closure, but the condition and long-term maintenance of the bridge will remain important issues for the Federal Ministry of Works and other authorities responsible for protecting the infrastructure.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
- Channels Television
- Punch
- THISDAY
- Federal Ministry of Works
- The News Chronicle
