Dr. Adedeji Ashiru, MD and CEO of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, revealed that the Federal Government plans to construct seven dams across the six southwestern states to enhance irrigation and increase food production. In addition, there are plans to concession the hydropower segment of the Oyan Dam, which is expected to generate up to nine megawatts of electricity.
Speaking at the 46th Annual Conference of the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN) in Lagos, Ashiru emphasized the critical role of dams in flood management, pointing out that the Oyan Dam has been protecting Abeokuta and Isheri from major flooding since it was completed in 1979.
Ashiru also confirmed that contracts for the dam projects will be awarded soon, aligning with President Tinubu’s agricultural development goals. The dams will include greenhouses, open fields, and storage facilities to support year-round agricultural activities.
In his remarks, ACEN President Kem-Selem Bukar noted that the conference’s theme, “Sustainable Development: Building Resilient Cities,” was shaped by pressing climate challenges, such as flooding. He also discussed new regulations aimed at preventing building collapses, a recurring issue in Nigeria, with a focus on strengthening monitoring and enforcement efforts.
