𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐣𝐚 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐎𝐲𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐬 ₦𝟑𝟎𝐛𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝, 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 ₦𝟐𝟎𝐛𝐧

The Oyo State Government has clarified the status of the Federal Government’s intervention fund approved following the January 16, 2024 explosion in Bodija, Ibadan, stating that the ₦30 billion already released remains untouched more than a year after receipt.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the state government explained that Governor Seyi Makinde had formally written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on January 19, 2024, requesting federal financial support to manage the aftermath of the deadly explosion in the Bodija area of Ibadan.

According to the statement, the governor detailed the immediate response measures taken by the state government, including search-and-rescue operations, deployment of ambulances and medical personnel, full payment of hospital bills for injured victims, and provision of temporary accommodation for displaced residents at the state’s expense.

The Oyo State Government estimated that comprehensive recovery efforts would cost ₦100 billion and requested approval for that amount. However, the Federal Government approved ₦50 billion, specifically described as support for the reconstruction of Old Bodija and its environs.

The statement noted that following the approval, an Oyo State Government Infrastructure Support Account was opened with First Bank of Nigeria, into which ₦30 billion was released by the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria on November 4, 2024.

“As of December 31, 2025, the ₦30 billion remains untouched in the account,” the government said, adding that members of the public may independently verify this with the bank.

The state government explained that it deliberately refrained from utilising the released funds because the balance of ₦20 billion from the approved ₦50 billion has yet to be released by relevant federal agencies, nearly two years after the disaster, without any formal explanation.

Meanwhile, the government disclosed that it has already spent ₦24.6 billion from its own resources to address the impact of the explosion. This includes ₦20.141 billion on reconstruction of infrastructure in Bodija and surrounding areas, as well as ₦4.085 billion paid as support and compensation to victims.

The statement also referenced documents released by a political agent of the Federal Government, Ayo Fayose, indicating that ₦915.5 billion was approved nationwide as intervention funds for states, with some states receiving as much as ₦150 billion. Oyo State, it said, received one of the lowest allocations despite the scale of the Bodija disaster.

Clarifying issues around disclosure, the government explained that intervention funds are treated as capital grants and are subject to the normal budgeting and accounting process, rather than public announcements upon receipt.

In conclusion, the Oyo State Government thanked residents for their understanding and support, accusing “desperate political actors” of attempting to exploit the Bodija tragedy for political gain.

The statement, signed by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, and the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, reaffirmed Governor Makinde’s commitment to transparency, accountability and faithful service to the people of Oyo State, while wishing residents a peaceful and prosperous 2026.