Bodija Explosion: N30bn FG Intervention Fund intact, N20bn Balance unreleased 

The Oyo State Government has disclosed that the N30 billion intervention fund released by the Federal Government in response to the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan remains untouched, nearly two years after the incident, due to the non-release of the outstanding N20 billion balance.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Musibau Babatunde, and the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, confirmed that the funds were part of a N50 billion reconstruction package approved by the Federal Government to support the rebuilding of Old Bodija and surrounding communities affected by the explosion.

According to the state government, the N30 billion currently sits in a dedicated Oyo State Government Infrastructure Support Account domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria, and has not been accessed since it was credited on November 4, 2024.

The statement explained that following the explosion of January 16, 2024, Governor Seyi Makinde formally appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for federal intervention, citing the scale of destruction and the extensive humanitarian and infrastructural needs created by the disaster. The state had initially proposed a N100 billion intervention plan to cover emergency response, victim support, and large-scale reconstruction.

President Tinubu later approved N50 billion, half of the requested sum, with the funds explicitly designated to support reconstruction efforts in the affected Bodija axis. Subsequent to the approval, a special infrastructure support account was opened to receive and manage the intervention funds.

However, while N30 billion was eventually released through the Central Bank of Nigeria, the remaining N20 billion has yet to be disbursed by relevant federal agencies. The Oyo State Government said no formal explanation has been provided for the delay.

The government stressed that it deliberately chose not to deploy the released funds in isolation, noting that the reconstruction plan was designed around the full N50 billion approval. Officials maintained that partial utilisation could undermine the scope, coordination, and effectiveness of the recovery programme.

The statement also recalled the immediate steps taken by the state government in the aftermath of the explosion, including search-and-rescue operations using heavy equipment, full medical care for injured victims at the state’s expense, emergency deployment of ambulances and health workers, and the temporary relocation of displaced residents to hotels funded by the state.

Reaffirming its position, the Oyo State Government said the N30 billion remains intact as of December 31, 2025, and invited members of the public to independently verify the status of the account with the bank.

The government expressed appreciation to residents of the state for their patience and understanding, while reiterating its commitment to transparency, accountability, and a comprehensive reconstruction process once the full federal allocation is released.