Oyo State is stepping up its fight against flooding through an aggressive desilting campaign, public awareness drives, and targeted erosion control schemes, the state government has confirmed.
Ademola Aderinto, the commissioner for environment and natural resources, disclosed this during an interview at his office while discussing the 2026 seasonal climate outlook and the state's readiness for the rainy months ahead.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency's 2026 forecast shows that Oyo will receive substantial rainfall throughout much of the year, though the overall volume is expected to fall short of 2025 levels, he explained.
However, the lower total rainfall doesn't guarantee safety. Flash floods remain a real threat because heavy downpours can strike in compressed timeframes, a direct result of climate change and global warming effects.
Governor Seyi Makinde's administration is taking no chances, Aderinto stressed, having deployed multiple safeguards to shield residents from flooding's destructive impact.
The ministry launched its first desilting phase earlier this year, clearing rivers and drainage systems across the state, including waterways under the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project. The second phase is now underway in critical channels and flood-vulnerable zones.
More than half of the targeted waterways have been cleared so far, he said, with further rounds planned to guarantee smooth water flow and minimize flood risks throughout the rains.
The desilting work keeps stormwater moving freely, preventing the blockages that typically spark flooding incidents, Aderinto noted.
Beyond infrastructure work, the government has ramped up community outreach. Officials are urging residents—especially those in at-risk areas—to move to safer ground before heavy rains intensify.
He praised those who've heeded the warnings and called on others to cooperate for their own safety.
The state is also preparing fresh erosion control and culvert construction initiatives under its watershed management scheme spanning all three senatorial districts, Aderinto revealed.
These projects will reinforce the state's flood defences and protect vulnerable neighbourhoods from future inundation.
Aderinto reaffirmed the government's dedication to environmental protection, assuring residents that his ministry will keep pushing forward with preventive actions designed to blunt climate change impacts and deliver a safer, healthier environment for everyone in Oyo State.
