…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.
Oludayo recalled that in 2022, floods swept through more than six fish farm clusters, destroying investments estimated at over N500 million.
He added that in 2025, fish farmers in the Odogbolu-Ayepe axis lost another N300 million after the Uren River overflowed its banks.
According to him, the victims of both disasters are yet to receive any form of compensation from the government.
He also revealed that fish farmers in the Ikangba-Agoro area spent over N30 million in 2023 to dredge the Yemule River through self-help before government intervention came months later.
He said the farmers again raised over N20 million this year to dredge the same river ahead of the rainy season in a desperate effort to avert flooding.
“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,” he said.
Farmers hospitalised
The Chairman of the Ijebu-Igbo Fish Farmers Association, Mr. Hafeez Bada, and the Chairman of the Mojalake Fish Farm Cluster, Engr. Isah Hussaini, said the disaster had left several farmers traumatised, with some requiring hospital treatment.
Hussaini, who disclosed that he personally lost over N40 million, appealed passionately to both the Federal and Ogun State governments for immediate intervention.
“The losses are unbearable. I personally lost over N40 million. Some of our members have been hospitalised. We really don’t want to lose any of them,” he said.
“We are only begging Governor Dapo Abiodun and President Bola Tinubu to please come to our aid. We have been left with nothing to sustain our families. We sincerely beg for this much-needed assistance.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Ijebuland Fish Farmers’ Association, Mr. Lazarus Okole, and the association’s spokesperson and National Coordinator of the Food and Farmers Rights Campaigns, Mr. Eko John Nicholas, urged both governments to provide immediate compensation to enable affected farmers return to business.
They warned that repeated flood disasters without government intervention could discourage fish production and worsen food insecurity in the country.
The association called for emergency relief materials, compensation for affected farmers, routine dredging of rivers and waterways across Ogun State, rehabilitation of drainage infrastructure, affordable single-digit agricultural loans, subsidised solar-powered pumping equipment and the establishment of the proposed agricultural marketing board to address recurring fish market gluts.
The farmers also urged the Federal Government to include catfish and other locally produced protein sources in the national school feeding programme as part of efforts to tackle child malnutrition, boost local agriculture and reduce rising food prices.
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