Benue

The Benue River is a major tributary of the Niger River. It was historically known as the Chadda River or Tchadda. The river stretches for over 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) and is virtually totally navigable during the summer. It has a basin area of 319,000 km2 (123,000 sq mi). As a result, it serves as a vital transportation corridor in the areas through which it passes. The river originates on Cameroon's Adamawa plateau, flowing west then south until discharging into the Niger River at Lokaja. For many years, the river has provided fish and water to the riverine settlements for domestic, irrigation, and transportation purposes. However, due to the river's current state, the water level has reduced, resulting in a decline in fish populations and making the river difficult to cross during the dry season.

It begins in northern Cameroon's Adamawa Plateau and flows west via Garoua and the Lagdo Reservoir before entering Nigeria south of the Mandara Mountains and passing through Jimeta, Ibi, and Makurdi before meeting the Niger River at Lokoja. The Faro River, the Gongola River, and the Mayo Kébbi are major tributaries, with the Mayo Kébbi connecting it to the Logone River (part of the Lake Chad basin) during floods. Taraba River and River Katsina Ala are two further tributaries.

Length: 1,400 kilometers (870 miles)