The people who live beside the river have many names for it , such as Jeliba or Joliba ( `` great river '' in Manding ) , Isa Ber ( `` big river '' in Songhay ) , Oya , ( a Yoruba River Niger goddess ) , and Kworra or Quorra . The Niger is called Jeliba or Joliba `` great river '' in Manding , Egerew n-Igerewen `` river of rivers '' in Tuareg , Isa Ber `` big river '' in Songhay , and Oya in Yoruba .