Fish farmers in Ijebuland are calling on President Bola Tinubu and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for urgent relief and compensation after flash floods destroyed farms and equipment worth over N700 million.
The Ijebuland Fish Farmers’ Association said the disaster was triggered by two days of heavy rainfall between July 13 and 14, 2026. More than 150 farmers lost fish ponds, catfish stocks, solar equipment and other assets across Ijebu-Ife and Ijebu-Igbo.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday at Eriwe Farms Village in Ijebu-Ode, the association’s Secretary, Mr Oluyemi Oludayo, said the flood has deepened existing problems caused by market glut and insecurity.
Oludayo listed the worst-hit areas as the Mojalake Fish Farm Cluster in Ijebu-Ife along the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway, and communities in Ijebu-Igbo including Egbe Semi Jeje, Odobolu, Mercy Model and West End.
“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,” he said.
“The disaster has resulted in the destruction of fish, ponds, solar pumping machines, solar panels, gas cylinders and other production assets worth over N700m.”
*N300m lost in Ijebu-Igbo, N400m in Ijebu-Ife*
According to Oludayo, farmers in Ijebu-Igbo alone lost more than N300m. He blamed the flooding on blocked waterways, poor drainage, unregulated urban development and years of neglect of the Ogbere Stream, the main channel for evacuating floodwater from the town.
“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,” he said.
In Ijebu-Ife, the Mojalake Cluster lost over N400m. Oludayo linked that to the ongoing reconstruction of the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway.
“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 urged the Federal Ministry of Works to build proper drainage and redirect stormwater into the Ade River, and to dredge the river to improve flow.
*‘We’ve suffered this before’*
Oludayo said this is not the first time. In 2022, six fish farm clusters lost over N500m, and in 2025 farmers in the Odogbolu-Ayepe axis lost more than N300m after the Uren River overflowed. He added that victims of those incidents are yet to be compensated.
He also noted that farmers in Ikangba-Agoro spent over N30m in 2023 and another N20m this year to dredge the Yemule River through self-help before government stepped in months later.
“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.
*Demands*
The association is asking for:
– *Immediate relief materials and compensation* for destroyed investments
– *Routine dredging* of waterways and rehabilitation of drainage
– *Removal of structures* blocking water channels
– *Single-digit agricultural loans* and affordable solar-powered pumping equipment
– *An agricultural marketing board* to tackle recurring fish market problems
Chairman of Ijebu Igbo Fish Farmers Association, Mr Hafeez Bada, and Chairman of Mojalake Farm Cluster, Engr Isah Hussaini, also made separate appeals.
Hussaini said the losses have become unbearable.
“The losses are unbearable, I personally lost over N40m, some of our members have 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,” he said.
The association’s Chairman, Mr Lazarus Okole, and spokesperson, Mr Eko John Nicholas, said only substantial government support will help farmers recover.
They also urged the Federal Government to include catfish and other protein sources in school feeding programmes to boost demand, fight malnutrition and help stabilize food prices.
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