The Oyo State Government has disclosed that the N30 billion released by the Federal Government as part of the N50 billion intervention fund approved for the January 2024 Bodija explosion has remained unspent nearly two years after the incident.
The state government also accused the Federal Government of withholding the remaining N20 billion balance without any official explanation, despite the approval of the full intervention sum.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, January 1, 2026, the state government said the N30 billion, released on November 4, 2024, is still intact in the Oyo State Government Infrastructure Support Account domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria.
According to the statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the state deliberately refrained from accessing the funds because the outstanding N20 billion approved by the Federal Government has yet to be released.
The statement explained that following the January 16, 2024 explosion in the Bodija area of Ibadan, Governor Seyi Makinde wrote to President Bola Tinubu on January 19, 2024, requesting emergency financial assistance to manage the disaster.
It noted that the state government had already taken immediate measures, including search-and-rescue operations, medical care for injured victims, provision of ambulances, deployment of emergency personnel, and accommodation for displaced residents—all funded by the state.
Governor Makinde reportedly requested N100 billion to address extensive damage caused by the explosion, including debris clearance, integrity tests and demolition of unsafe buildings, compensation for affected property owners, reconstruction of Old Bodija and surrounding areas, environmental impact assessments, and infrastructure restoration.
However, the President approved N50 billion, half of the requested amount, specifically for the reconstruction of Old Bodija and its environs.
The statement said an infrastructure support account was opened for the intervention funds, but only N30 billion was released by the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria, leaving N20 billion outstanding.
“As of December 31, 2025, the N30 billion remained untouched in the account,” the government said, adding that members of the public could verify the claim with the bank.
The state government disclosed that it has so far spent N24.6 billion from its own resources in response to the explosion. This includes N20.141 billion spent on infrastructure reconstruction and N4.085 billion paid as support and compensation to victims.
It further stated that federal intervention came almost a year after the incident, stressing that the state did not wait for federal support before taking action.
The government also referenced documents allegedly released by a federal political agent, Ayo Fayose, indicating that N915.5 billion was approved as intervention funds for states nationwide, with some South-West states receiving up to N150 billion, while Oyo State received one of the lowest allocations.
The statement dismissed allegations of secrecy over the intervention funds, explaining that special intervention grants are capital funds that go through standard budgeting processes and do not require public announcements upon receipt.
The Oyo State Government accused “desperate political actors” of attempting to exploit the Bodija tragedy for political gain, insisting it has remained transparent and accountable.
Governor Makinde, the statement added, remains committed to securing the release of the outstanding N20 billion to fully address the damage caused by the explosion and support affected residents.
The government concluded by assuring residents of its commitment to good governance and wished the people of Oyo State a peaceful and prosperous 2026.
