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The Ogun State government has warned residents living in riverbank and wetland areas—including Akute, Alagbole, Isheri, Magboro, Makogi, Orimerunmu, Iro, Kajola, and parts of Abeokuta such as Lafenwa, Enugada, Adedotun, Iberekodo, Akin-Olugbade, and Ago-Odo—to prepare for overflow from the Ogun River between October 20 and November 3.
This third flood alert of the year forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to mitigate flooding and its impact on residents.
Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, explained that the overflow would result from controlled water releases from Oyan Dam due to heavy rainfall in northern Nigeria.
Rising tides will further increase water levels reaching the dam.
The Commissioner urged residents to exercise caution to prevent loss of life and property, advising those near riverbanks to stay away and wetland residents to move to higher ground or elevate their homes.
Oresanya noted that the state has dredged river tributaries in collaboration with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority, which manages Oyan Dam, to ease the pressure of overflowing water.
He highlighted that water releases from the dam this year have been carefully controlled, in contrast to over 17,000 million litres per day released at the same period last year.
He reassured residents not to panic, explaining that the tide is expected to subside in about 10 days, but emphasised that the effects of climate change on the state are inevitable.
The commissioner also reminded fish farmers to harvest their stocks promptly to avoid losses caused by the anticipated overflow.
