The Oyo State Government has disclosed that the N30 billion released by the Federal Government to support reconstruction after the January 16, 2024 Bodija explosion remains untouched in a state infrastructure account nearly two years after the disaster. The state said the remaining N20 billion of the approved N50 billion package is still being withheld by federal agencies.
Bodija intervention fund: account, status and state response
In a statement signed by Prince Dotun Oyelade, Commissioner for Information, the state said the N30 billion was credited to Oyo State Government Infrastructure Support Account number 2045199879 at First Bank of Nigeria on November 4, 2024. According to the statement, the account balance has not been accessed because the outstanding N20 billion from the approved N50 billion has not been released and no official reason has been provided by the relevant federal agencies.
Governor Seyi Makinde had written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on January 19, 2024 requesting federal assistance after the explosion. The state originally estimated intervention needs at N100 billion but the President approved N50 billion to support reconstruction works in Old Bodija and surrounding areas. The approval was formalised in a memo dated August 29, 2024 from the Accountant General of the Federation.
The Oyo State Government emphasised that it refrained from utilising the N30 billion already received in recognition of the withheld balance. The statement said the decision to wait reflected concerns over the incomplete release and recent controversies surrounding the federal approval. The state invited members of the public to verify the untouched account with First Bank.
While federal funds remain in limbo, the state reports it has borne significant costs. As of January 1, 2026, Oyo State said it had spent N24.6 billion in response to the Bodija explosion. This includes N20.141 billion on reconstruction of infrastructure and N4.085 billion in compensation and support to victims. The state said these outlays were fully financed from its own resources.
Documents released by the Federal Government’s political agent showed that N915.5 billion had been approved as intervention funds for states across the country. The Oyo statement noted that allocations varied widely among states and asserted that Oyo received one of the smaller shares despite the scale of the Bodija tragedy.
Oyo State reiterated that special intervention funds are capital grants that must follow standard budgeting processes and be reflected in financial statements, and do not require special public announcements on receipt. The state said it would continue to engage transparently with the public on the matter and pledged to pursue the outstanding N20 billion to comprehensively address reconstruction and related needs.
Residents and stakeholders, the statement added, should expect continued engagement from the governor and the state government as they press for the release of the full Bodija intervention fund. The government also thanked citizens for their patience and warned against attempts to politicise the tragedy.
Key Takeaways:
- Oyo State says the N30bn released by the Federal Government for the Bodija intervention fund remains untouched in a First Bank account.
- The federal balance of N20bn from an approved N50bn package has not been released and the state has withheld using the N30bn pending clarification.
- Oyo State reports it has spent N24.6bn from its own coffers on reconstruction and compensation following the January 2024 Bodija explosion.
- The state is pressing for the full release of the Bodija intervention fund to complete reconstruction and reimburse victims.
