Federal Government Orders Partial Closure Of Keffi Bridge After Structural Damage.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered the immediate closure of a section of the Keffi Bridge in Nasarawa State following a partial collapse caused by dislodged beams, raising concerns over public safety and infrastructure integrity. The directive was announced by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, on 17 July 2025, in response to damage inflicted by a heavy-duty vehicle carrying an excavator in Abuja.
According to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Olofunsho Adebiyi, the incident occurred when the excavator collided with the bridge, severing a beam and compromising the structural integrity of the first carriageway. The impact broke a slab and dislocated a section of the beam, rendering the affected portion unsafe for public use. Umahi confirmed that the closure is limited to the damaged carriageway, with senior technical officers dispatched to assess the second carriageway. Should further damage be detected, the entire bridge may face a full shutdown, escalating the situation to an emergency.
The Keffi Bridge, a critical link in Nigeria’s road network, facilitates significant vehicular traffic between the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State. The partial collapse has sparked urgency, with the Ministry of Works tasked with developing an immediate design solution and engaging a qualified contractor to restore the structure. Umahi emphasised the importance of adhering to construction standards, noting that the bridge’s 5.6-metre headroom was breached by the high-bed vehicle, a violation of traffic codes that contributed to the incident.
The closure has already disrupted commuters and businesses reliant on the route. Social media posts on X reflect public frustration, with users urging swift repairs to minimise economic impacts. The government has assured the public that efforts are underway to address the damage, with a focus on preventing further deterioration. Adebiyi stressed the need to protect costly infrastructure, stating, “The public cannot be allowed to continue to destroy our expensive assets.”
This incident follows a pattern of infrastructure challenges in Nigeria, highlighted by recent flooding in Mokwa, Niger State, which caused the collapse of another key bridge in May 2025. President Bola Tinubu’s administration has prioritised infrastructure restoration, and the Ministry of Works is under pressure to deliver timely repairs. The government has called for public cooperation to avoid further damage to critical assets, with plans to enforce stricter regulations on vehicle dimensions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
