(a) On an outline map of Nigeria, locate and name (i) two international airports (ii) two domestic airports (iii) two seaports (iv) two river ports (b) High...

(a) Outline map of Nigeria: transport features

• (i) Two international airports: Murtala Muhammed (Lagos) in the south-west and Nnamdi Azikiwe (Abuja) in the centre. (Others: Port Harcourt, Kano.)
• (ii) Two domestic airports: Ibadan in the south-west and Ilorin in the middle belt. (Others: Maiduguri, Yola, Benin.)
• (iii) Two seaports: Lagos (Apapa/Tin Can) in the south-west and Port Harcourt in the south-south. (Others: Warri, Calabar.)
• (iv) Two river ports: Onitsha on the River Niger and Lokoja at the Niger-Benue confluence. (Others: Baro, Yola on the Benue.)

Mark each with a small symbol (aircraft for airports, anchor for ports) in its correct position and label it.

(b) Four problems facing river transportation in Nigeria

• Seasonal variation in water level: Rivers are shallow in the dry season, so large boats cannot navigate for part of the year.
• Silting and sand bars: Deposition of silt and sand blocks channels and reduces depth, making navigation difficult.
• Rapids, waterfalls and rocky obstacles: Sudden falls and rocks interrupt the courses of many rivers, so goods must be off-loaded and moved by land.
• Floating vegetation and few modern facilities: Water hyacinth and weeds clog channels, while poor port facilities, dredging and jetties limit efficiency.

(c) How the problems are being solved

• Dredging: Rivers such as the Lower Niger are dredged to deepen channels and remove silt and sand bars for year-round use.
• Construction of dams: Dams (e.g. Kainji) regulate the flow so that a steady depth of water is maintained downstream.
• Clearing of vegetation and obstacles: Water hyacinth and rocks are removed and channels are marked to guide craft.
• Provision of modern port facilities: Building and equipping river ports (Onitsha, Lokoja, Baro) with jetties and cargo-handling equipment improves the service.