Ogun government advises residents to move to safer areas amid flood risk
Ogun government advises residents to move to safer areas amid flood risk
The Ogun State Government has issued a flood warning, advising residents of riverine and coastal communities to relocate to safer areas between late September and mid-October to avoid the risks of severe flooding.
Communities along the Ogun, Ilo, Iju, Owa, and Yemule Rivers—including Isheri, Warewa, Akute, parts of Abeokuta, Ayetoro, Itele, and Iju—as well as coastal settlements such as Makun, Oni, Iwopin, Igele, Ifaara in Ogun Waterside, Ebute-Imobi in Ijebu East, Tungeji Island, and Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government Area, are projected to be most affected.
The alert was contained in the 2025 Ogun State Midterm Flood Advisory, released on Sunday by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya.
He explained that the anticipated flooding could result from several factors, including river overflow, sea level rise, tidal lock, heavy rainfall, inflows from northern Nigeria and Benin Republic, as well as potential water release from the Oyan Dam.
“The overflow, which usually lasts for two weeks, is part of the second phase of flooding that occurs every year between September and November,” Oresanya said.
Citing projections from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Oresanya disclosed that September will witness the highest rainfall with 204mm, followed by October with 190mm, before a decline to 93mm in November.
To mitigate the impact, he assured residents that the State Emergency Management Agency is on red alert for emergency evacuation and relocation to temporary camps. He added that the Ministry of Environment is working closely with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority to manage water releases from Oyan Dam.
The commissioner further urged residents in flood-prone communities to avoid using boreholes and wells during the period, warning that water sources could become contaminated.
He advised fish farmers, especially those operating along floodplains in Eriwe, Yemule (Ijebu-Ode), Ilase, and Ayegbami in Yewa, to harvest their stock without delay to avoid losses.
“Fish farmers must act quickly to prevent their investments from being washed away. Similarly, residents should avoid drinking contaminated water, as tidal variations are expected to worsen water quality,” he cautioned.
Oresanya expressed appreciation to⁶ residents for their cooperation on environmental matters, noting that such collaboration over the past six years had helped mitigate flooding and its impact across the state. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
