₦30bn Bodija Explosion Relief Fund: What We Know

On January 16, 2024, a devastating explosion occurred in the Old Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State, after illegally stored explosive materials detonated inside a residential building. The blast killed several residents, destroyed dozens of houses, displaced families, and caused structural damage across the neighbourhood. The scale of the disaster immediately drew national attention, prompting emergency response efforts from the Oyo State Government and intervention from the Federal Government.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government announced a major financial intervention to support victims, rebuild damaged infrastructure, and stabilise the affected community. Initial public communication suggested that as much as ₦50 billion had been approved for the Bodija explosion relief and reconstruction programme.

How Much Money Was Actually Released

While ₦50 billion was widely reported as the approved intervention sum, the Oyo State Government later clarified that only ₦30 billion was actually released by the Federal Government. Officials in the state government, including aides to Governor Seyi Makinde, insisted that claims of a ₦50 billion transfer were inaccurate and that the federal disbursement stopped at ₦30 billion.

According to the state government, the ₦30 billion was paid into a dedicated infrastructure support account domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria. The remaining ₦20 billion, though approved in principle, has not been released, and no formal explanation has been provided by federal authorities for the delay or withholding of the balance.

Why the Fund Has Not Been Spent

The Oyo State Government maintains that the ₦30 billion relief fund remains unspent. State officials argue that the decision to hold the money was deliberate and procedural. They explained that intervention funds of this nature are classified as capital grants and must be fully captured in the state’s budgetary framework before they can be lawfully expended.

Government sources also said the state chose not to begin spending the federal funds until there was clarity on the release of the outstanding ₦20 billion, citing the need for proper planning and coordination of the reconstruction effort. According to the government, spending part of the fund without certainty about the full scope of federal support could complicate long-term rebuilding plans.

What the State Says It Has Spent Instead

While the federal relief fund remains untouched, the Oyo State Government says it has relied heavily on its own resources to manage the aftermath of the explosion. The state claims it has spent over ₦24 billion from its coffers on emergency response, demolition of unsafe structures, compensation to victims, temporary housing arrangements, and other recovery efforts.

Officials also disclosed that several billions of naira were paid directly to affected residents as compensation, covering loss of property, relocation support, and medical assistance for injured victims. The government insists that these expenditures demonstrate its commitment to the welfare of Bodija residents, even in the absence of full federal funding.

Rising Controversy and Political Disputes

Despite these explanations, the handling of the ₦30 billion relief fund has become a major political and public controversy. The debate intensified after former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose publicly alleged that Governor Makinde had received ₦50 billion from the Federal Government. The Oyo State Government strongly denied this claim, reiterating that only ₦30 billion was released.

Opposition figures and critics argue that keeping such a large sum idle while victims continue to complain about inadequate compensation raises serious questions about transparency and prioritisation. Some have accused the state government of poor communication and failure to provide detailed public accounting of both state and federal expenditures related to the disaster.

Civil Society Petitions and EFCC Involvement

The controversy took a legal turn when the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), a civil society organisation, petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In its petition, HEDA alleged possible diversion, misapplication, and abuse of trust in the handling of the Bodija explosion intervention funds.

HEDA argued that holding ₦30 billion in a commercial bank for an extended period without clear utilisation or detailed public disclosure raises red flags and warrants investigation. The organisation called on the EFCC to examine the movement of funds, the decision-making process surrounding their use, and whether financial regulations were breached.

The Oyo State Government has rejected these allegations, maintaining that no diversion occurred and that the funds remain intact and traceable.

Public Sentiment and Victims’ Concerns

Beyond political and legal arguments, affected residents have continued to voice frustration. Some victims have told local media that compensation payments were insufficient compared to the scale of their losses, while others say rebuilding efforts have been slower than expected. Community members have repeatedly called for transparency and speedy deployment of all available funds to restore normalcy in Bodija.

Public opinion remains divided, with supporters of the state government defending its cautious approach, while critics argue that emergency relief funds should be deployed swiftly in disaster situations.

Where the Matter Stands

As of January 2026, the ₦30 billion Bodija Explosion Relief Fund remains unspent, according to the Oyo State Government. The remaining ₦20 billion approved by the Federal Government has yet to be released. The EFCC has not publicly disclosed whether it has commenced a formal investigation following HEDA’s petition.

What is clear is that the Bodija explosion relief fund has become more than a reconstruction issue. It is now a test case for transparency, intergovernmental coordination, and public accountability in disaster response, with implications that extend beyond Oyo State.