Daud Olatunji
In an exclusive investigation by PLATFORM TIMES, a strong indication has emerged that the Ogun State government received N30 billion from the Federal Government in February 2024, earmarked specifically for the upgrading of airport facilities and other essential infrastructure projects.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the funds, allocated through Approval in Expenditure (AIE) No. A01-00009117 by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, were meant to accelerate the development of Ogun’s aviation sector and bolster its economic infrastructure.
However, eight months after the disbursement, the Ogun State government has yet to reveal the updates on the use of this special intervention fund, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that the funds, reportedly drawn from the supplementary budget of 2023.
Both Chief Economic Adviser Dapo Okubadejo and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Lekan Adeniran, have been unresponsive to inquiries regarding specific project plans or updates on the allocation.
Messages sent to their official lines over the weekend went unanswered, fueling further speculation about the fate of the N30 billion fund.
The PLATFORM TIMES, verified the fund’s transfer on GovSpend.ng, a government transparency platform, where the transaction was listed as “special intervention support to enable the state embark on upgrading of airport facilities and other projects.”
Official records show the transfer was made under references 1001150071-1 and 0220007001.
Meanwhile, the development of Ogun’s airport infrastructure has long been a contentious issue.
Former governor Ibikunle Amosun initially championed an airport project in Wasimi, Ewekoro, while current Governor Dapo Abiodun shifted focus to the construction of the Agro-Cargo International Airport at Ilishan-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area initiated by former governor Gbenga Daniel .
Spanning over 5,000 hectares and strategically located between the Lagos-Ibadan and Sagamu-Benin expressways, the Ilishan-Remo site is envisioned as a hub for agricultural exports and cargo logistics.
In 2021, Senator Smart Adeyemi and the Senate Committee on Aviation visited both the Wasimi and Ilishan Remo sites, examining the suitability of each location.
While Amosun defended Wasimi’s potential, Abiodun argued that the Ilishan-Remo airport would deliver greater economic value by positioning Ogun as a prominent player in the agro-cargo and logistics sectors.
He described the project as an asset to Ogun’s industrial landscape, promising that it would foster job creation, support agricultural exports, and attract foreign investment.
Residents and community leaders have expressed disappointment over the lack of communication from the state government, emphasizing the need for accountability in handling such a substantial allocation.
“It is puzzling that after receiving such a large sum from the Federal Government, we are yet to see any significant progress or receive any detailed report on the project’s status,” commented a resident from Ikenne.
“Transparency is key to earning public trust, especially when it involves funds for critical infrastructure that could impact the state’s economy.”
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