The Oyo State Government has denied claims by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, that the Federal Government provided N50 billion for the upgrade of the Ibadan airport. According to the state government, President Bola Tinubu's approval for the reconstruction and upgrade of the airport expressly stipulated that the project would be executed at no cost to the Federal Government. This clarification was made by the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
Wike had claimed during a television interview that the Tinubu administration had made about N50 billion available to support Makinde on the airport project, citing the Oyo governor's support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election as a reason for the financial intervention. However, the Oyo government described the claim as "false, reckless and misleading," stating that records at both the Presidency and the state government showed that Tinubu approved the airport upgrade without any financial commitment from the Federal Government.
The state government emphasized that it had solely financed the transformation of the airport, including expansion and strengthening of the runway, upgrade of airfield lighting and navigational systems, apron improvements, and aviation safety installations. Other components of the upgrade include the dualisation of Airport Road and the ongoing construction of a new international terminal to increase passenger and cargo capacity. The government accused Wike of making the claim without establishing the facts.
The Oyo government maintained that funding for aviation infrastructure followed established processes involving the Federal Ministry of Aviation and relevant regulatory agencies, and that none of the channels reflected the N50 billion claimed by Wike. The state government insisted that the Federal Government did not give Oyo State N50 billion for the Ibadan Airport upgrade, and that any suggestion to the contrary was a fabrication.
This dispute over airport funding comes against the backdrop of a separate controversy over federal intervention following the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan. The Oyo government had earlier acknowledged receiving N30 billion from the Federal Government for the Bodija explosion, after claims that the intervention amounted to N50 billion. The state government insisted that the Bodija intervention should not be confused with funding for the airport project.
The Oyo State Government remains committed to transparency, accountability, and factual public communication. The government urged public officials to exercise restraint and responsibility, and to refrain from making unfounded statements that misinform citizens and politicise development efforts. The state government will not allow misinformation to be used for political point-scoring or to distort public understanding of the state's finances.
The clarification on the Ibadan airport upgrade funding is a testament to the state's commitment to transparency and accountability. The Oyo government has provided evidence to support its claims, including records from the Presidency and the state government. The state government will continue to prioritize transparency and accountability in its dealings, ensuring that citizens are informed and that development efforts are not politicised.
Key points
- Oyo State Government denies receiving N50 billion from FG for Ibadan airport upgrade.
- Project funded solely by Oyo State, says government.
- FG's claim described as "false, reckless and misleading".
