Nearly two years after the devastating Bodija explosion rocked Ibadan, the Oyo State Government has disclosed that the N30 billion intervention fund released by the Federal Government remains untouched, while the outstanding N20 billion balance is yet to be paid.
The disclosure was made on Thursday in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, who said the unspent N30 billion was lodged in a dedicated Oyo State Government Infrastructure Support Account with FirstBank.
According to the state government, the Federal Government approved a total of N50 billion – half of the N100 billion requested by Governor Seyi Makinde – for the reconstruction of Old Bodija and surrounding communities affected by the January 16, 2024, explosion. However, only N30 billion has so far been released.
Oyelade explained that Governor Makinde formally wrote to President Bola Tinubu on January 19, 2024, days after the explosion, seeking federal intervention and outlining the immediate actions already taken by the state to manage the disaster.
These measures, he said, included the deployment of earth-moving equipment for search-and-rescue operations, full payment of medical bills for injured victims, emergency ambulance services, and temporary accommodation for displaced residents, which were all funded by the state government.
The governor also identified critical areas requiring federal support, including rubble clearance, integrity testing and demolition of unsafe buildings, compensation for affected property owners, reconstruction of Old Bodija, environmental impact assessments, expansion of emergency response infrastructure, and other logistics needed to restore normalcy.
Although the Federal Government approved N50 billion for the purpose, the state said it has deliberately refrained from accessing the N30 billion already released because the remaining N20 billion has been withheld by relevant federal agencies without any official explanation.
“Out of the approved N50 billion, the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, released N30 billion on November 4, 2024. As of December 31, 2025, the fund remained untouched,” the statement said, adding that members of the public could verify this with the bank.
The government noted that recent controversies surrounding the approval process had further justified its decision to “wait and see” before deploying the funds, stressing that comprehensive reconstruction requires the full release of the approved amount.
Despite the delay in federal intervention, the Oyo State Government said it has spent N24.6 billion from its own resources in response to the disaster. This includes N20.141 billion on infrastructure reconstruction in Bodija and adjoining areas, and N4.085 billion paid as support and compensation to victims.
The statement also drew attention to documents allegedly released by a federal political agent, indicating that N915.5 billion was approved as intervention funds nationwide, with some states receiving as much as N150 billion. Oyo State, it said, received one of the lowest allocations despite suffering one of the most severe incidents.
Oyelade stressed that special intervention funds are treated as capital grants and must undergo due budgeting processes before expenditure, noting that such funds are not usually accompanied by public announcements upon receipt.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, dismissing claims that it had mismanaged or concealed the funds. It also accused “desperate political actors” of attempting to exploit the tragedy for personal and political gain.
Governor Makinde, the statement concluded, remains committed to securing the outstanding N20 billion and ensuring that all victims are duly supported, while continuing to govern with “utmost respect for the social contract” between the government and the people of Oyo State.
About the Author
