…Over 150 farmers lose N700m In Latest Flood Disaster
…Victims Say Repeated Floods Threaten Food Security, Livelihoods
…Demand Compensation, Emergency Relief, River Dredging
Daud Olatunji
Fish farmers in Ogun State have appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun for urgent intervention after devastating floods destroyed fish ponds, production facilities and fish stocks worth over N700 million in parts of Ijebuland, compounding losses that have exceeded N1.5 billion in the last four years.
The affected farmers, under the umbrella of the Ijebuland Fish Farmers’ Association, said more than 150 fish farmers were affected by the flash floods triggered by two days of torrential rainfall between July 13 and 14, 2026, leaving many families without livelihoods.
Addressing journalists on Thursday at Eriwe Farms Village, Ijebu-Ode, the association’s Secretary, Mr. Oluyemi Oludayo, described the latest disaster as another crushing setback for fish farmers who were only beginning to recover from prolonged market gluts, insecurity and previous flood disasters.
According to him, the affected farmers are located at the Mojalake Fish Farm Cluster in Ijebu-Ife along the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway in Ijebu East Local Government Area, as well as fish farming communities in Ijebu-Igbo, including Egbe Semi Jeje, Odobolu, Mercy Model and West End in Ijebu North Local Government Area.
Oludayo said the latest disaster wiped out catfish, fish ponds, solar pumping machines, solar panels, gas cylinders and other production assets valued at over N700 million.
He said, “Just when the prolonged glut in the fish market was easing and demand for catfish was beginning to improve, our members were again hit by devastating floods caused by heavy rainfall that lasted for two days.
“The disaster has resulted in the destruction of fish, ponds, solar pumping machines, solar panels, gas cylinders and other production assets worth over N700 million.”
He disclosed that fish farmers in Ijebu-Igbo alone lost investments estimated at over N300 million, while another N400 million worth of investments belonging to farmers at the Mojalake Fish Farm Cluster in Ijebu-Ife were also destroyed.
The association blamed the flooding in Ijebu-Igbo on blocked waterways, poor drainage infrastructure, unchecked urban development and the failure of relevant authorities to dredge the Ogbere Stream, which serves as the major channel for draining floodwater from the town.
“The Ogbere Stream has become too narrow and shallow due to years of neglect. Consequently, it overflowed its banks after the heavy rains, destroying fish farms and other investments,” Oludayo said.
He also alleged that the ongoing reconstruction of the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway worsened flooding around the Mojalake Fish Farm Cluster because adequate drainage channels were not incorporated into the project.
“We are not against the road project. We welcome development. However, we are concerned about the manner in which the project is being executed.
“The reconstruction, with heavily reinforced concrete pavement but without adequate drainage, has channelled huge volumes of water directly into the Mojalake Fish Farm Cluster, leading to predictable flooding,” he stated.
The association therefore urged the Federal Ministry of Works to construct proper drainage channels that would divert stormwater into the Ade River and also dredge the river to prevent future flooding.
N1.5bn losses in four years
The farmers said the latest destruction was only the latest in a series of flood disasters that have crippled fish farming in Ogun State.
