Ogun Fish Farmers Appeal for Help After Flood Disaster

The Ijebuland Fish Farmers’ Association has asked President Bola Tinubu and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for emergency aid. They want relief materials and compensation for farmers affected by flash floods that hit Ijebu-Ife and Ijebu-Igbo last week.

The floods were caused by two days of heavy rain from July 13 to 14, 2026. This disaster washed away fish ponds and catfish. It also damaged production assets belonging to over 150 fish farmers, with losses exceeding N700 million.

Mr Oluyemi Oludayo, the association’s secretary, spoke at a press conference on Thursday at Eriwe Farms Village, Ijebu-Ode. He said the disaster has hit fish farmers hard, especially as they were just starting to recover from long market gluts and recent insecurity in the area.

He explained that the affected farmers are at the Mojalake Fish Farm Cluster in Ijebu Ife, along the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway. There are also farmers in Ijebu-Igbo, including at Egbe Semi Jeje, Odogbolu, Mercy Model, and West End, all in Ijebu North Local Government Area.

Oludayo 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 noted that fish farmers in Ijebu-Igbo alone lost over N300 million. He blamed the flooding on blocked waterways, poor drainage, unchecked urban development, and the failure of authorities to dredge and clean the Ogbere Stream.

He said, "The Ogbere Stream, which serves as the major channel for evacuating floodwaters from the town, 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."

The association is calling on the Ogun State Government to start building and fixing drainage systems, remove structures blocking waterways, and dredge the Ogbere Stream to improve its capacity.

Oludayo also mentioned that fish farmers at the Mojalake Fish Farm Cluster lost over N400 million due to flooding made worse by the ongoing reconstruction of the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway.

He appreciates the Federal Government for fixing the highway but says the project lacks proper drainage.

He said, "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 channeled huge volumes of water directly into the Mojalake Fish Farm Cluster, leading to predictable flooding."

The association is asking the Federal Ministry of Works to quickly build proper drainage channels to direct stormwater into the Ade River. They also want to dredge the river to prevent future flooding.

Oludayo criticized the government’s reactive approach to flood management. He said authorities keep issuing flood warnings but do not invest enough in drainage systems, affordable housing, and clearing rivers and waterways regularly.

He believes that annual dredging and cleaning of rivers in Ijebuland would greatly reduce flooding and protect lives, livelihoods, and investments. He recalled that in 2022, over six fish farm clusters lost more than N500 million to flooding. Fish farmers in the Odogbolu-Ayepe area also lost over N300 million in 2025 due to the overflow of the Uren River.

He added that affected farmers have not received any compensation.

He said, "The victims have been left without any form of assistance. Some have not recovered from those losses, while others continue farming under constant fear whenever the rainy season begins."

Oludayo revealed that fish farmers in the Ikangba-Agoro area spent over N30 million in 2023 to dredge the Yemule River themselves before the government intervened months later.

They also spent over N20 million this year to dredge the river before the July rainfall.

He stated, "The responsibility of dredging rivers and clearing waterways should not rest on struggling farmers. It is the responsibility of government and should be carried out routinely."

The association is demanding immediate distribution of relief materials to affected farmers, payment of compensation for destroyed investments, regular dredging of rivers and streams across Ogun State, provision of single-digit agricultural loans, affordable solar-powered pumping equipment, and the establishment of the proposed agricultural marketing board to tackle recurring fish gluts.

Mr Hafeez Bada, Chairman of the Ijebu Igbo Fish Farmers Association, and Engr Isah Hussaini, chairman for Mojalake Farm Clusters in Ijebu Ife, pleaded with the government for help. They said the disaster has caused health issues among some of their members.

Engr Hussaini said, "The losses are unbearable. I personally lost over N40 million. Some of our members have had to be hospitalized. We really don’t want to lose any of us. We are only begging Gov Dapo Abiodun and President Tinubu to please come to our aid. We have been left with nothing to sustain our families. We beg for this much-needed help."

The chairman of the Ijebu Land Fish Farmers Association, Mr Lazarus Okole, and Mr Eko John Nicholas, the association's spokesperson, also asked for urgent help from both state and federal governments. They said that only proper compensation can help the affected farmers recover and return to business.

The association also wants the Federal Government to include catfish and other protein sources in school feeding programs to fight malnutrition among students. They called for more public investment in agriculture to address rising food prices and the cost of living crisis.