The Ogun State Government has issued a fresh flood alert, the third in 2025, warning residents living along riverbanks and wetlands to brace for possible overflow from the Ogun River between October 20 and November 3.

In a statement released on Monday, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, said the alert follows the controlled release of water from the Oyan Dam due to heavy rainfall from the northern parts of the country, which has increased water inflow into the dam.

Oresanya identified Akute, Alagbole, Isheri, Magboro, Makogi, Orimerunmu, Iro, Kajola and parts of Abeokuta,  including Lafenwa, Enugada, Adedotun, Iberekodo, Akin-Olugbade and Ago-Odo, as high-risk areas that may experience flooding.

“The overflow from the Ogun River will rise as a result of the controlled release of water from the Oyan Dam, following heavy rainfall from up north,” Oresanya explained.

He urged residents of the affected communities to exercise caution, relocate to safer areas, and safeguard their properties against possible water damage.

According to him, those residing along riverbanks should vacate the area, while those in wetlands should move temporarily to higher ground as the overflow becomes inevitable.

The commissioner noted that the state government had been taking proactive measures by dredging and expanding tributaries of the Ogun River to ease pressure from rising water levels.

“The state government has continuously dredged and opened more tributaries of the Ogun River to ease the pressure of overflow on residents, in collaboration with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority — owners of the Oyan Dam — who have maintained controlled water releases throughout the year,” he said.

Oresanya added that, as of this period last year, the Oyan Dam released over 17,000 million litres per day, compared to the current 12,000 million litres per day, which he said reflects improved regulation despite heavier rainfall.

He assured residents that the flooding is expected to subside within 10 days, urging them not to panic.

“The tide will go down in about 10 days. The mitigating measures put in place by the state government cannot stop the forces of nature, especially as the effects of climate change continue to impact the state as one of Nigeria’s coastal regions,” he added.

Oresanya also appealed to fish farmers in flood-prone areas to harvest their stock promptly to minimize losses.

He reiterated that Ogun remains a gateway for water discharge from northern Nigeria into the Lagos Lagoon, which makes it particularly vulnerable to flooding during periods of intense rainfall.