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Ogun State Government has issued a fresh flood alert ahead of the second phase of the 2026 rainy season, urging residents in vulnerable communities to remain vigilant and relocate to safer locations where necessary.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the warning followed a forecast by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which identified Ogun among the states expected to experience heavy rainfall in the coming weeks.
Oresanya said the state government would continue to monitor weather forecasts and hydrological conditions in collaboration with NiMet, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority and other relevant stakeholders.
The Commissioner warned that the expected rainfall could increase the risk of river and coastal flooding in parts of the state, particularly due to prolonged rainfall, controlled overflow from Oyan Dam and tidal fluctuations that could slow the flow of the Ogun River.
He explained that the combined effect of these factors could temporarily oversaturate wetlands and floodplains, increasing the risk of flooding in vulnerable communities.
Oresanya advised residents in Isheri, Arepo, Mawere, Magboro, Akute and Warewa, as well as parts of Abeokuta, to remain vigilant and relocate to safer locations where necessary.
He said the advisory also covers coastal communities including Makun-Omi, Iwopin, Oni, Ifaara and Igele in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area; Ebute-Imobi in Ijebu East Local Government Area; Tungeji Island and Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government Area; and communities located along the floodplains of the Ilo and Iju rivers.
The Commissioner also urged fish farmers operating within floodplains and river corridors to harvest their stocks promptly to minimise potential losses from flooding.
He specifically advised fish farmers in Eriwe, Yemule, Ilase and Ayegbami, as well as those in other vulnerable communities, to heed the warning without delay.
The state government said the first phase of the rainy season, which lasted from mid-March to July, recorded intense rainfall and isolated flash floods in some parts of Ogun, but with comparatively minimal impact.
Oresanya attributed the relatively low impact to proactive measures adopted by the government, including sustained public awareness and education, regular maintenance of rivers, streams and drainage channels, as well as improvements in waste management services.
“Particular attention had been given to major river channels and waterways, including Sokori River and its tributaries, Opa-Aro, Adiyan, Eruwuru, Yemule, Gbogidi Canal and Ijamido rivers and streams, among others,” he said.
The Commissioner called on relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Local Government Authorities, emergency response organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders to intensify flood-response activities, regularly monitor vulnerable locations and ensure that drainage channels remain free of obstructions.
He also urged community leaders to strengthen public awareness campaigns in their respective areas, stressing that timely information and early action were critical to reducing the impact of possible flooding.
“The state government would continue to monitor weather forecasts and hydrological conditions in collaboration with NiMet, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority and other relevant stakeholders.”
Oresanya assured residents that the government would sustain its efforts to minimise the adverse impact of flooding across the state and appreciated residents for their cooperation with measures that contributed to the relatively low impact recorded during the first phase of the rainy season.
He urged residents to take the advisory seriously and remain responsive to further updates from the government and relevant emergency agencies.
Meanwhile, the state government’s call for residents in vulnerable areas to relocate has generated mixed reactions, with some residents appearing unprepared for the possibility of flooding.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, who also doubles as the General Manager of the state Waste Management Authority, Akintunde Farook, called for improved attitudes among residents towards waste disposal and other measures to help mitigate the expected impact of flooding.
