The Oyo State Government has advised residents to adhere strictly to its advisories on flooding to safeguard lives and property as the rainy season approaches.
This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Ibadan, the state capital, by the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Ademola Aderinto.
Aderinto said the state government would continue to put proactive measures in place to prevent flooding and mitigate its impact across the state.
He said his ministry was working closely with the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and utilising flood early warning systems installed through the World Bank-supported Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project.
Aderinto also said that the Ministry had intensified the clearing of waterways, drainage channels and rivers in different parts of the state, destilting drains of obstructions that could hinder the free flow of water.
According to the commissioner, the exercise commenced during the dry season and will continue until the rains set in.
He maintained that the state had consistently implemented preventive environmental measures, which have helped reduce the incidence of severe flooding in recent years.
Aderinto advised residents living along riverbanks, waterways and other flood-prone areas to relocate to safer locations ahead of the rainy season in order to avoid putting their lives and property at risk.
The commissioner equally admonished residents to abide with the advisories, “stay informed through official channels, and report any illegal developments or obstructions along waterways”.
He further advised farmers to heed the advisory of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which had predicted perennial rainfall in 2026.
“Though with intermittent dry spells, and the changing climate pattern may affect planting cycles and crop production,” he noted.
Aderinto cautioned farmers against rushing to plant during early rainfall, urging them to wait for official guidance from government and relevant agencies before commencing planting activities.
Similarly, the Oyo State Government has advised residents to stop the open defecation and indiscriminate dumping of waste in streams and waterways in order not to weaken the impact of erosion control.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Ademola Aderinto, gave the advice on Monday, March 16, 2026, after conclusion of the final inspection of proposed project sites under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project- European Investment Bank (NEWMAP-EIB) intervention.
A statement by the ministry said that sites visited during the inspection included Aborerin Stream in Eruwa (Ibarapa East Local Government Area), Fedomu Stream in Igbeti (Olorunsogo Local Government Area), and erosion sites within Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
The inspection exercise forms part of the concluding activities ahead of the commencement of the NEWMAP-EIB intervention project across the state.
Aderinto said that the intervention would bring long-awaited relief to communities grappling with erosion and environmental degradation, adding that Oyo state has now met the key requirements for the take-off of the project.
“The sites are located across the three senatorial zones of the state, paving the way for the commencement of construction works,” he said.
The commissioner said that the successful completion of the preparatory processes was made possible through support of Gov. Seyi Makinde whose administration has prioritised tackling erosion challenges, strengthening climate change adaptation, and improving environmental sustainability.
Aderinto assured residents of the affected communities that with the completion of all required processes, the NEWMAP-EIB project was set to move into the implementation phase.
He also emphasised the need for sustained community cooperation to ensure the success and long-term sustainability of the project.
The Commissioner was accompanied on the inspection visit by the Project Coordinator, Mr Tayo Ayoade, and members of the Oyo State Project Management Unit (OYO NEWMAP-EIB).
By David Adeoye and Olatunde Ajayi