The Ogun State Government has issued a fresh warning to residents in flood-prone communities as the state prepares for the second phase of the 2026 rainy season, with forecasts indicating the possibility of intense rainfall and rising flood risks across vulnerable areas.
The advisory was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, who urged residents to remain alert, pay attention to official warnings and move to safer locations where conditions require early evacuation.
The warning followed the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s seasonal forecast identifying Ogun among the states expected to experience significant rainfall during 2026. According to Oresanya, the second phase of the rainy season is expected to begin in September, with the state projected to record average rainfall of about 360 millimetres during the month.
The commissioner said the first phase of the season, which lasted from mid-March through July, brought periods of intense rainfall and isolated flash floods to parts of Ogun. However, he said the impact was comparatively limited, which he attributed to preventive measures implemented by the state government before and during the period.
Those measures included sustained public awareness campaigns, regular maintenance of rivers and streams, clearing and maintenance of drainage channels, and improvements in waste management services. Oresanya said the government had paid particular attention to waterways considered important to flood control and drainage across different parts of the state.
Among the waterways monitored and maintained were the Sokori River and its tributaries, Opa-Aro, Adiyan, Eruwuru, Yemule, Gbogidi Canal and the Ijamido rivers and streams. The commissioner said continued attention to these channels had helped improve the state’s preparedness during the earlier phase of the rainy season.
The coming months, however, could present a more complicated flood situation. Oresanya said rainfall in the inland areas of Ogun was expected to begin declining from October and continue into early November, but the period between September and the early part of the dry-down could still expose several communities to flooding.
He identified a combination of prolonged rainfall, possible controlled overflow from Oyan Dam and tidal fluctuations as factors that could affect water levels and drainage patterns. According to him, tidal movements could reduce the velocity at which water flows through the Ogun River, creating conditions capable of worsening flooding in certain locations.
“The combined effect could result in temporary oversaturation of wetlands and floodplains, increasing the risk of flooding in vulnerable communities,” the commissioner said.
The government has consequently singled out a number of communities for heightened vigilance. Residents of Isheri, Arepo, Mawere, Magboro, Akute and Warewa were advised to monitor developments closely, alongside residents in parts of Abeokuta and other locations exposed to floodwaters.
Oresanya stressed that residents in these areas should not wait until flooding becomes severe before taking precautions. Where circumstances warrant relocation, households were advised to move to safer locations early rather than risk being trapped by rapidly rising water.
The warning also extends to communities along the state’s coastal areas and major river floodplains. In Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, the affected locations include Makun-Omi, Iwopin, Oni, Ifaara and Igele.
Residents of Ebute-Imobi in Ijebu East Local Government Area were also included in the advisory, while communities such as Tungeji Island and Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government Area were warned about potential flood risks. The advisory further covers settlements situated along the floodplains of the Ilo and Iju rivers.
The state government’s warning is not limited to households and communities. Fish farmers operating close to rivers, floodplains and other water corridors have also been urged to take preventive measures before heavy rainfall creates conditions that could destroy stocks.
Oresanya specifically advised fish farmers in Eriwe, Yemule, Ilase and Ayegbami, as well as operators in other vulnerable locations, to harvest their fish promptly where necessary. The early harvesting, he said, would help reduce potential losses if flooding occurs.
The advice is particularly significant for farmers whose ponds and operations are located within natural floodplains, where rising water can quickly overwhelm facilities and result in the loss of fish stocks. The government is therefore urging operators to treat the forecast as an opportunity for early preparation rather than waiting for flooding to occur.
Beyond individual residents and farmers, the commissioner called for stronger coordination among government institutions and emergency-response bodies. Ministries, departments and agencies, local government authorities, emergency organisations, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders were urged to intensify preparations ahead of the expected rainfall.
He called for continued surveillance of communities considered vulnerable and stressed the importance of keeping drainage channels clear of refuse and other obstructions. Blocked drainage systems can restrict the movement of stormwater and increase the likelihood of flooding during periods of intense rainfall.
Community leaders were also asked to strengthen public awareness efforts and ensure that residents receive timely information about potential flood threats. The government maintained that early information and prompt action could significantly reduce the consequences of flooding when communities are properly prepared.
Oresanya said the Ogun State Government would continue monitoring weather forecasts and hydrological conditions in partnership with relevant national and regional institutions. Those involved include NiMet, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority and other stakeholders responsible for weather, water management and emergency preparedness.
The collaboration is intended to provide authorities with updated information as rainfall patterns and water levels develop, allowing the government to adjust its response where necessary and communicate new warnings to residents.
Ogun has already experienced intense rainfall and isolated flash flooding during the first phase of the year, but the commissioner said the comparatively limited impact demonstrated the value of preventive action. He credited public cooperation, drainage maintenance, waterway management, waste management improvements and awareness efforts for helping to reduce the effects recorded earlier in the season.
The government is now seeking similar cooperation as the second phase begins. Residents in flood-prone areas are being encouraged to avoid practices that could worsen drainage problems, remain attentive to official announcements and act quickly when evacuation becomes necessary.
The latest warning also highlights the fact that flood risk is not determined solely by rainfall in a particular community. Water levels can be affected by prolonged precipitation, river conditions, dam releases and tidal movements, meaning communities located near waterways or low-lying areas may face risks even when rainfall at their immediate location is less intense.
For that reason, the government is asking residents to remain vigilant throughout the period rather than treating the advisory as a one-day warning. Weather and hydrological conditions can change, and further updates may be issued as authorities receive new forecasts and monitoring information.
Oresanya assured residents that the state government would continue taking measures aimed at reducing the impact of flooding across Ogun. He also expressed appreciation to residents for their cooperation during the first phase of the rainy season, saying their response to government measures had contributed to the relatively low impact recorded.
With September expected to bring rainfall averaging about 360mm, the government is now placing emphasis on preparedness, early warning and community-level action. The priority is to ensure that residents in exposed areas have sufficient time to protect lives, property, businesses and agricultural investments before flood conditions become dangerous.
The commissioner therefore urged residents to take the latest advisory seriously and remain responsive to subsequent information from the state government, emergency agencies and other relevant authorities. For communities already identified as vulnerable, the message is clear: vigilance and early action should come before rising floodwaters force a response.
Ogun Issues Fresh Flood Alert as Heavy September Rainfall Approaches
