Bodija Blast: Oyo Govt Explains Why N30bn FG Fund Was Not Announced

Bodija Blast: Oyo Govt Explains Why N30bn FG Fund Was Not Announced

 

The Oyo State Government has explained why it did not publicly announce the N30 billion Federal Government intervention fund released after the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan, saying such funds are subject to budgetary procedures and do not require public disclosure upon receipt.

The clarification followed public backlash triggered by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who alleged that Governor Seyi Makinde failed to account for N50 billion approved by the Federal Government for victims of the deadly explosion.

Newstrends reports that the explosion, which occurred on January 16, 2024, claimed two lives, injured at least 77 people, and destroyed properties worth billions of naira in the Bodija area of Ibadan.

Speaking in a recent interview, Fayose challenged Makinde to explain how the intervention funds were spent, backing his claims with documents allegedly showing Federal Government approval of N50 billion.

In response, Governor Makinde, through his media aide Sulaimon Olanrewaju, clarified that although N50 billion was approved, only N30 billion was actually released to the state.

Reaffirming this position in a statement on Thursday, the Oyo State Government said the N30 billion intervention fund has remained unused and intact since its release.

The statement was jointly signed by Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Musibau Babatunde, and Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.

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According to the statement, the funds have been domiciled in the Oyo State Government Infrastructure Support Account with First Bank of Nigeria since 2024.

“As of December 31, 2025, the N30 billion remains untouched in the Oyo State infrastructure account with First Bank. Interested members of the public may verify this information with the bank,” the statement said.

The government explained that it deliberately refrained from spending the money because the outstanding N20 billion balance from the approved sum has not been released by relevant federal agencies, nearly two years after the disaster.

“The Oyo State Government has deliberately refrained from utilising the N30 billion already released, recognising that the remaining N20 billion has been withheld for reasons yet to be communicated to the state,” the statement added.

It further noted that recent controversies surrounding the approval process at the federal level justified the state’s decision to adopt a “wait-and-see” approach before deploying the funds.

On efforts already made, the Makinde administration disclosed that it had spent N24.6 billion from its own resources to address the impact of the explosion.

This includes N20.141 billion for reconstruction of infrastructure in Bodija and surrounding communities, and N4.085 billion paid as compensation and support to victims.

“These expenditures were fully borne by the Oyo State Government,” the statement stressed.

The government reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, insisting it had nothing to hide.

“Governor Seyi Makinde remains committed to serving the people of Oyo State faithfully and truthfully, with utmost respect for the social contract that binds government to the governed,” the statement said.

 

Bodija Blast: Oyo Govt Explains Why N30bn FG Fund Was Not Announced