River basins of the Niger River and Benue River, near Lokoja, Nigeria

Separating the two segments of the coastal plain and extending to the northeast and northwest are the broad river basins of the Niger and Benue rivers. The upper reaches of these rivers form narrow valleys and contain falls and rapids. Most of the lower portions, however, are free from rapids and have extensive floodplains and braided stream channels. To the north of the Niger and Benue basins are the broad, stepped plateau and granite mountains that characterize much of northern Nigeria. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon traveled to Africa from March 17, 1970 to July 17,1970.