1…clarifies that N30bn FG fund remains untouched
The Oyo State Government has announced that it has expended a total of N24.6 billion from its own coffers to manage the aftermath of the Bodija explosion, nearly two years after the tragic incident occurred on January 16, 2024.
In a statement released on Thursday by the State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, the government detailed its financial commitment to the recovery efforts, emphasizing that these expenses were borne entirely by the state while federal intervention funds remain unspent.
According to the breakdown provided by the state government, the N24.6 billion expenditure as of January 1, 2026.
The statement noted that N20.141 billion was utilized for the rebuilding of Old Bodija and its environs while N4.085 billion was paid out as direct support and compensation to the victims of the blast.
The government highlighted that it deployed these resources immediately following the disaster to cover medical bills, provide accommodation for displaced persons, clear rubble, and conduct integrity tests on affected buildings, rather than waiting for federal assistance which arrived months later.
While the state has spent over N24 billion of its own funds, it disclosed that the N30 billion released by the Federal Government on November 4, 2024, sits untouched in the state’s FirstBank infrastructure support account.
The N30 billion is part of a N50 billion intervention fund approved by President Bola Tinubu half of the N100 billion initially requested by Governor Seyi Makinde.
The state government explained that it has deliberately refrained from accessing the released N30 billion because the outstanding balance of N20 billion is being withheld by federal agencies without official explanation.
The statement noted, “Given the disgraceful drama of the last couple of days from the Federal Government on the approval, the government of Oyo State is convinced of the wisdom of its decision to wait and see before deciding what to do with the money.”
The Oyo State Government also drew attention to documents released by federal agents indicating a total approval of N915.5 billion in intervention funds for states across Nigeria.
The government pointed out a disparity in allocation, noting that while one South-West state received N150 billion and another received N50 billion, Oyo State received one of the lowest allocations despite the severity of the Bodija incident.
Governor Makinde’s administration reiterated its commitment to transparency, inviting the public to verify the status of the unspent federal funds at the bank, while assuring citizens that the state remains focused on securing the outstanding N20 billion to fully address the damage to public and private properties.