The Oyo State Government has disclosed that the N30 billion released by the Federal Government as part of the intervention fund for victims of the January 16, 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan remains untouched more than a year after it was paid into the state’s account.
The state made this known in a press statement issued on Thursday, explaining that although President Bola Tinubu approved a total of N50 billion for post-explosion intervention, only N30 billion has so far been released by the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the sum was released through the Central Bank of Nigeria on November 4, 2024, and lodged in a dedicated account opened solely for the intervention fund.
“Following the approval, an Oyo State Government Infrastructure Support Account (No. 2045199879) was opened with First Bank of Nigeria for the intervention fund,” the statement said.
It added, “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 state government said it deliberately refrained from utilising the funds because the balance of N20 billion from the approved N50 billion had yet to be released.
“The Oyo State Government has deliberately refrained from utilising the N30 billion already released in recognition of the fact that the remaining N20 billion has remained withheld by the relevant federal agencies for reasons that have not been communicated to the state,” the statement noted.
The government further stated that recent developments surrounding the approval process strengthened its resolve to adopt a “wait-and-see” approach before spending the money.
“Given the disgraceful drama of the last couple of days from the Federal Government on the approval, the government of Oyo State is convinced on the wisdom of its decision to wait and see before deciding what to do with the money, pending the release of the N20 billion balance,” it said.
The statement stressed that nearly two years after the disaster, the Federal Government had yet to release the outstanding N20 billion.
Meanwhile, the African Action Congress, Oyo State chapter, has demanded a public explanation from the Seyi Makinde-led administration over its handling of relief funds meant for victims of the explosion.
The demand followed reports that only N4.5 billion had been officially approved by the state government for compensation, despite claims of a N50 billion federal intervention.
In a statement issued by its state chairman, Kayode Babayomi, the AAC accused the government of lacking transparency and questioned the whereabouts of the remaining funds.
Babayomi cited claims attributed to a former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, alleging that President Tinubu released N50 billion to support victims of the Bodija explosion, while only N4.5 billion was approved for compensation.
The explosion, which occurred in the Old Bodija residential area of Ibadan, was caused by explosive devices illegally stored in a private residence by miners.
The blast claimed several lives, injured many residents, destroyed over 230 properties and displaced hundreds of families.
Following the incident, the Oyo State Government announced relief measures and pledged to resettle victims and rebuild affected communities, with the N4.5 billion approval described as part of those effort
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