The Ijebuland Fish Farmers’ Association has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Dapo Abiodun to provide emergency relief and compensation for fish farmers affected by recent floods.
The association said flash floods, triggered by torrential rainfall between July 13 and July 14, destroyed fish ponds, catfish and production assets belonging to over 150 farmers, with losses exceeding N700 million.
Speaking at a news conference in Eriwe Farms Village, Ijebu-Ode on Thursday, the association’s Secretary, Mr Oluyemi Oludayo, said the disaster came as farmers were recovering from prolonged market gluts and insecurity.
Oludayo said affected farmers were located at the Mojalake Fish Farm Cluster, Ijebu-Ife, and fish farming communities in Ijebu-Igbo, including Egbe Semi Jeje, Odobolu, Mercy Model and West End.
He attributed the flooding in Ijebu-Igbo, where losses exceeded N300 million, to blocked waterways, poor drainage, unchecked development and failure to dredge the Ogbere stream.
According to him, fish farmers at the Mojalake Fish Farm Cluster also lost over N400 million, alleging that the ongoing Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway reconstruction worsened flooding due to inadequate drainage facilities.
He urged the Ogun government to rehabilitate drainage systems, remove structures obstructing waterways, dredge the Ogbere stream and called on the Federal Ministry of Works to construct proper drainage into the Ade River.
Oludayo criticised government’s reactive approach to flooding, recalling that fish farmers suffered similar losses in 2022 and 2025 without compensation despite repeated flood incidents across Ijebuland.
He said farmers spent over N30 million in 2023 and another N20 million this year dredging the Yemule River through self-help, insisting such responsibilities should rest with government.
He demanded emergency relief materials, compensation, routine dredging of rivers, single-digit agricultural loans, affordable solar-powered equipment and establishment of an agricultural marketing board to tackle recurring fish gluts.
Chairmen of the Ijebu-Igbo Fish Farmers Association and Mojalake Farm Cluster, Mr Hafeez Bada and Engr. Isah Hussaini, appealed for urgent intervention, saying several affected farmers had been hospitalised following the disaster.
Hussaini said he personally lost over N40 million, while many members lost their livelihoods, urging Tinubu and Abiodun to assist farmers to recover and sustain their families.
The association’s Chairman, Mr Lazarus Okole, and spokesman, Mr Eko John Nicholas, also appealed for adequate compensation and urged the Federal Government to include catfish in school feeding programmes to boost nutrition and support local farmers.
