Two Years After Bodija Blast, Oyo Govt Says Federal ₦30bn Intervention Fund Unused

Two Years After Bodija Blast, Oyo Govt Says Federal ₦30bn Intervention Fund Unused

The Oyo State Government has disclosed that the ₦30 billion intervention fund released by the Federal Government for the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan has remained untouched nearly two years after the tragic incident.

The state government also revealed that the Federal Government is yet to release the outstanding ₦20 billion balance from the ₦50 billion approved intervention fund meant for the reconstruction of Old Bodija and surrounding communities affected by the explosion.

In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Musibau Babatunde, and the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the entire ₦30 billion is still intact in the Oyo State Government Infrastructure Support Account domiciled at First Bank of Nigeria.

According to the statement, the funds have remained unused because the remaining ₦20 billion approved by the Federal Government has been withheld by relevant federal agencies without any official explanation.

“Following the unfortunate explosion that occurred on January 16, 2024, in the Bodija area of Ibadan, Governor Seyi Makinde formally wrote to President Bola Tinubu on January 19, 2024, requesting federal financial support to manage the disaster,” the statement said.

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It noted that the governor’s request detailed immediate interventions already undertaken by the state, including search-and-rescue operations, hospitalisation of injured victims at the state’s expense, deployment of ambulances and medical personnel, and the provision of temporary accommodation for displaced residents.

The Oyo State Government estimated the total cost of intervention at ₦100 billion, but President Tinubu approved ₦50 billion, described by the Federal Government as support for the reconstruction of Old Bodija and its environs.

Following the approval, an Infrastructure Support Account (No. 2045199879) was opened with First Bank, and ₦30 billion was released through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on November 4, 2024.

“As of December 31, 2025, the ₦30 billion remains untouched in the account. Members of the public may verify this information with the bank,” the statement added.

The government stressed that it deliberately refrained from accessing the released funds pending the release of the remaining ₦20 billion, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and accountability.

The statement concluded that the Makinde administration appreciates the patience and understanding of the people of Oyo State as it continues to engage federal authorities on the matter.

Two Years After Bodija Blast, Oyo Govt Says Federal ₦30bn Intervention Fund Unused