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Oyo State Government has rejected claims by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike that the Federal Government provided about N50 billion for the upgrade of the Ibadan airport, insisting that Abuja has not contributed “a kobo” to the project.
It said President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the reconstruction and upgrade expressly stipulated that the project would be executed at no cost to the Federal Government.
Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, stated this on Tuesday in response to Wike’s claim during a television interview on Monday that the Tinubu administration had made about ₦50 billion available to support Makinde on the airport project.
Wike had said the financial intervention was among the assistance extended to Makinde following the Oyo governor’s support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.
But the Oyo government described the claim as “false, reckless and misleading,” saying records at both the Presidency and the state government showed that Tinubu approved the airport upgrade without any financial commitment from the Federal Government.
“‘Approved at no cost to the Federal Government’ was President Bola Tinubu’s minute on the proposal submitted to him by Governor Seyi Makinde for the reconstruction and upgrade of the Ibadan airport.
“The records as stated above are with the Presidency just as they are with the Oyo State Government,” it said. Makinde had previously publicly stated that Tinubu approved Oyo State’s request to upgrade the airport but specifically indicated that it should be done at no cost to the Federal Government.
The state government said 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.
It listed other components as the dualisation of Airport Road and ongoing construction of a new international terminal to increase passenger and cargo capacity.
“Every component of the upgrade has been executed and funded solely by Oyo State.”
The government accused Wike of making the claim without establishing the facts. “Wike’s statement is both untrue and unfortunate. He should have sought knowledge on the matter before going on air.
“Wike’s assertion does not originate from any Federal Executive Council decision, presidential approval, or statutory aviation infrastructure process.
It is not an official communication of the Federal Government. It is not backed by documentation.”
The state government maintained that funding for aviation infrastructure followed established processes involving the Federal Ministry of Aviation and relevant regulatory agencies, arguing that none of the channels reflected the ₦50 billion claimed by Wike.
It added: “Let it be stated unambiguously: The Federal Government did not give Oyo State ₦50 billion for the Ibadan Airport upgrade. Any suggestion to the contrary is a fabrication and a lie from the pit of hell.”
The dispute over the 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 ₦30 billion from the Federal Government for the Bodija explosion, after claims that the intervention amounted to ₦50 billion. It said ₦4.5 billion was paid as support to victims while the balance went into reconstruction and other restoration efforts.
The state government insisted that the Bodija intervention should not be confused with funding for the airport project.
It said it would not allow what it described as misinformation to be used for political point-scoring or to distort public understanding of the state’s finances.
“The Oyo State Government remains committed to transparency, accountability, and factual public communication. We urge public officials to exercise restraint and responsibility, and to refrain from making unfounded statements that misinform citizens and politicise development efforts,” it said.
