10 Major Rivers in Nigeria (Fact with Pictures)

When talking about the major rivers in Nigeria.

You will agree with me that Nigeria is regarded as the most popular country in Africa.

The country is blessed with so many natural and mineral resources.

However, there are so many other facts about Nigeria that is making most of the indigenes proud of.

If you are a Nigerian citizen.

You will agree with me that they are some of the tourist locations in Nigeria is far better than other countries in Africa.

Nevertheless, if you belong to the travelers who wish to visit Nigeria or have always.

Your traveling lifestyle will not be complete if you have not visited some of these major rivers in Nigeria.

Besides, In this post today.

We will be discussing the 10 major rivers in Nigeria with the most important territorial waters.

Major Rivers in Nigeria

Here are the 10 major rivers in Nigeria;

10. Calabar River

This is the assembly river which is located in Cross River state.

However, the river streams from the north past the city of Calabar, signing up with the bigger Cross River about 8 kilometers (5.0 mi) to the south.

Besides, the Calabar River develops a natural harbor deep enough for vessels with a draft of 6 meters (20 ft).

Moreover, the Calabar River flows into the part of the Oban Hills in the Cross River National Forest.

Meanwhile, the geology of the river container consists of the Pre-Cambrian Oban Massif, Cretaceous sediments of the Calabar flank and also the recent Niger Delta sedimentary basin.

You will be glad to know that the river takes about 43 kilometers (27 mi) wide as well as 62 kilometers (39 mi) long, with a location of 1,514 square kilometers (585 sq mi).

Previously, it was entirely area covered by exotic rainforest which brings up flooding.

nevertheless, the region has a rainy season from April until October, throughout which 80% of the yearly rainfall drops.

In fact, this river was a means for transporting slaves to America as “Slave trade”

However, this was later prohibited in 1860.

9. Cross River

This one is different from the Calabar river which locates in the same state.

However, the Cross River is one of the most noticeable River in the South-Eastern component of Nigeria.

It derives its source from Cameroon where it is referred to as the Manyu River.

In fact, you will be glad to know that this was how the name “Cross River State” was derived as a state in Nigeria.

Moreover, the river flows from Cameroon and in a westwards towards Nigeria.

It is also kipping down a southwesterly direction after its branch with the Aya River in Nigeria.

Additionally, the cross-river streams southern (after receiving the Western Aboine River from the Udi Hills) with thick rain forest.

Besides, the river ultimately finishes its 304-mile (489-kilometre) program to the Bight of Bonny (Previously Bight of Biafra) via its tidewater, which it shares with the Calabar River.

But it functions as a vital waterway.

Palm oil and also kernels, lumber, cacao, and also rubber are shipped to the Calabar port on the Calabar River.

This is 5 miles [8 km] upstream from its entrance right into the tidewater for export.

8. River Sokoto

River Sokoto is amongst the significant rivers in the country located in northwestern Nigeria.

However, It was formerly called the Kebbi River or the Gublin Kebbi.

Besides, the river gets its origin at Funtua, Katsina State as well as streams northwestward in a large arc for 200 miles (320 km) to Sokoto town.

In fact, the west of which the Rima River meets it in its reduced foundation to its river with the River Niger eastern of Illo.

The alluvial channel and levels created by the Sokoto River are extensively cultivated.

Most of their natural resources are peanuts (groundnuts), cotton, cigarette, overload rice, onions, sugarcane, and indigo are grown.

Nevertheless, several watering jobs have been presented to celebrate year-round farming along the river.

The Sokoto River functions as an essential waterway for the Hausa, Dakarki, as well as Zabarma individuals.

7. River Kaduna

River Kaduna is one of the major rivers in Nigeria which flows from the River Niger.

However, It takes its source from Plateau State on the Jos Plateau 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Jos community near Vom and moves in a northwesterly direction to a bend 22 miles (35 km) northeast of Kaduna community.

Moreover, It then continues southwestward and after that towards the south before ending its 340-mile (550-kilometre) which stops at the Niger, at Mureji (contrary Pategi).

Most of its plans go through the open savanna forest.

But its decreased area has actually reduced several canyons including the 2-mile [3-kilometer] granite ravine at Shiroro over its entry into the considerable Niger floodplains.

The Kaduna implying “crocodiles” within the Hausa language.

This goes through nice seasonal variations and is passably listed below Zungeru from July to Gregorian calendar month for the light-weight craft.

However, it is used for angling and also for the transport of native turn out.

Gbari (Gwari) folks have actually used the Kaduna’s greater floodplains for swamp rice cultivation, and also within the southern plains, in Nupe social team territory, rice, as well as sugarcane production, has actually ended up being a major financial activity.

Near Bida, the Edozhigi and also Badeggi all-natural watering comes are significant rice-growing ventures.

Besides, there are rail bridges at Zungeru and also at Kaduna, one of the most important cities on the stream.

6. Osun River

This is another major rivers in Nigeria which flow in Osun State.

However, the Oṣun River streams southwards with basic Yorubaland in South West into the Lagos Lagoon as well as the Atlantic Gulf of Guinea.

Historical Yoruba tale has it that Osun was a myth who became moving water after a stressful occasion either annoyed or scared.

The tale goes a step even more by stating Osun among the river goddesses in Yorubaland and being just one of the partners of the Yoruba god of thunder, Sango.

It is thought that Osun is the siren of fertility in Yorubaland.

5. Ogun River

The Ogun River has Lagos as its entrance as it empties right into the Lagos Shallows.

However, the river comes from Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria near Shaki where it streams through Ogun State into Lagos.

The primary river of the River Ogun is the Ofiki River which additionally takes its resource from Shaki.

Although the river is created with the Oyan River and also it is crossed by the Oyan River Dam which provides water to Abeokuta and Lagos.

4. Imo River

Imo river is one of the major rivers in Nigeria which originated its source form Okihwe, Imo State and takes the South-Eastern part of Nigeria.

However, the said river stream 240 Kilometers towards the Atlantic Sea which also takes part in the Lagos State.

Moreover, we believe that the river gains its main origin from the River Otamire as well as Oramirukwa.

In fact, if you use the Atlantic Ocean then you can definitely reach the Imo River.

3. Anambra River

As it now called by many people and the indigene of the Land.

Anambra River was first called Anam Branch in the late 1800s before it was later changed to Anambra River.

During the change to Anambra River.

It was then the state gains its name and that is how they come about with the name “Anambra State“.

The Anambra River cover the land mass of the state with people living beside the river.

In fact, it inhabitant love so much to address the area as “Ọnwụbala”

While many other people that live within the vicinity called the area “Omambala”.

Moreover, the river flows toward the River Niger with approximately 210 kilometers.

Anambra Rivers also flows into the Niger Delta in the southern part of Nigeria.

While it also flows toward the Atlantic Ocean as well as form part of the Gulf of Guinea.

2. River Benue

River Benue is one of the major rivers in Nigeria.

The river takes its origin from the Adamawa, Plateau as well as Northern Cameroon.

Besides, the River Benue was formally known as Chadda River or Tchadda.

However, it then moves towards the western part into Nigeria via the Garoua community and also Lagdo.

Coming to Nigeria, it streams southern of the Mandara Mountains, via Jimeta, Ibi as well as Makurdi where it goes on to fulfill the River Niger.

In fact, It is roughly 1,400 kilometers (870 mi) as well as it helps the regions in which it moves really great.

1. River Niger

River Niger is the most Major rivers in Nigeria which are also known as the largest river in West Africa.

However, the river flows with its main source from the Guinea Highlands in South-Eastern Guinea.

Its area is about 4,180 km extended toward Guinea, Sierra Leon and the great Atlantic Ocean.

Besides, it also streams towards the many other west African countries including Mali, Niger.

In fact, it shares the border with the Republic of Benin and settles in Nigeria.

Moreover, the River Niger terminates into the Atlantic Ocean by means of the Niger Delta right into the Gulf of Guinea.

The River Nigeria is also attributed as one of the longest rivers which also flows towards the Nile and Congo River mostly refer to as Zaïre River.

Read Also: The 11 Coldest Countries in the World

Other Major Rivers in Nigeria

Here are some other important rivers in Nigeria

• Opara River
• Taraba River
• Zamfara River
• Aba River
• Oba River
• Otin River
• Erinle River
• Ogunpa River
• Oji River

Conclusion

Do you think the way we put up these rivers in Nigeria are justified?

Or they are other rivers which are more important than the other.

Moreover, what are the other major rivers in Nigeria that are not listed here?

Leave it in the comment and share the post with your friends.

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