The Ogun State Government has advised residents of riverine and coastal communities to move to safer locations between late September and mid-October in anticipation of severe flooding.
According to the state’s 2025 Midterm Flood Alert issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, the areas most at risk include communities along the Ogun, Ilo, Iju, Owa and Yemule rivers. These include Isheri, Warewa, Akute, parts of Abeokuta, Ayetoro, Itele and Iju. 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 were also listed as vulnerable.
Dr. Oresanya explained that the flooding would result from several factors: overflowing rivers, rising sea levels, tidal lock, heavy rainfall, inflows from the northern part of Nigeria and Benin Republic, as well as possible water releases from the Oyan Dam.
He noted that this second phase of seasonal flooding typically lasts about two weeks between September and November each year. Quoting projections from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Oresanya said rainfall in September could reach 204mm, followed by 190mm in October and a drop to 93mm in November.
To reduce the impact, he said the State Emergency Management Agency is on high alert to carry out evacuations and relocate people to temporary shelters. The Ministry of Environment is also working with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority to coordinate water releases from the Oyan Dam.
Residents in flood-prone areas were further warned to avoid using boreholes and wells during the period due to potential contamination of water sources. Fish farmers, particularly those operating on floodplains in Eriwe, Yemule (Ijebu-Ode), Ilase and Ayegbami in Yewa, were urged to harvest their stock promptly to prevent losses.
“Delaying harvests could lead to investments being washed away, while drinking contaminated water could pose health risks as tidal changes worsen water quality,” Oresanya said.
He thanked residents for their cooperation with government initiatives, noting that such efforts have helped to reduce the scale and impact of flooding over the past six years. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
