Abstract

The research investigate the relevance of inland water transport to job Creation in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria 1991-2024. In Pre-History, water transport was known to be the cheapest and major mode of transporting bulky commodities over long distances. Commercial water transport was particularly important on the Lower Niger River (L.N.R) this research is important because it addresses the problem of job creation in Lokoja. It argues that unemployment would be minimized in Lokoja if transportation on the lower Niger River is developed. The study adopts historical methodology using primary and secondary data. The study recommend: first, that the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) develop inland water transportation on the Lower Niger River to make it navigable all year round to Ocean- going ships up to the confluence at Lokoja. Second, that the federal government of Nigeria in collaboration with Kogi State government adopted Public Private Partnership (PPP) to rejuvenate transportation on the Lower Niger River for job creation. Some of the research questions raised in this study are: First, in line with historical realities, how can transportation on the Lower Niger River create employment in Lokoja? Second, what role does labour play in shipping activities at Lokoja river port?

Key Word: Inland water ways, Job creation, Transport, Lokoja.