The Ogun State Government has warned residents of riverine and coastal communities to relocate to safer areas between late September and mid-October in anticipation of heavy flooding.
According to the 2025 Midterm Flood Alert Statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, communities along the Ogun, Ilo, Iju, Owa, and Yemule rivers—including Isheri, Warewa, Akute, parts of Abeokuta, Ayetoro, Itele, and Iju—are most at risk. Coastal towns such as Makun, Oni, Iwopin, Igele, Ifaara (Ogun Waterside), Ebute-Imobi (Ijebu East), Tungeji Island, and Agosasa (Ipokia LGA) are also expected to be affected.
Oresanya explained that the flooding would be caused by a mix of factors, including river overflow, sea-level rise, tidal lock, heavy rainfall, inflows from northern Nigeria and Benin Republic, as well as possible water release from the Oyan Dam.
“This overflow, which typically lasts about two weeks, is part of the second phase of flooding that occurs annually between September and November,” he said.
Citing projections from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the commissioner noted that rainfall would peak at 204mm in September, drop slightly to 190mm in October, and decline to 93mm in November.
He assured that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is on standby for evacuations and relocation to temporary shelters, while the Ministry of Environment is working with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority to regulate water releases from Oyan Dam.
Residents in vulnerable areas were also cautioned against using boreholes and wells during the flood season due to the risk of contamination.
In addition, fish farmers—especially those in floodplains like Eriwe, Yemule (Ijebu-Ode), Ilase, and Ayegbami (Yewa)—were advised to urgently harvest their stock to avoid losses.
“Farmers must not delay in harvesting to prevent their investments from being washed away. Likewise, residents should avoid drinking contaminated water as tidal variations will worsen water quality,” Oresanya warned.
He appreciated residents for their cooperation with environmental measures over the past six years, noting that such efforts had significantly reduced the impact of flooding across the state.
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He further pledged the government’s continued commitment to protecting lives and property.
