The Oyo State Government has refuted claims that it received ₦50 billion from the Federal Government for the reconstruction and upgrade of the Ibadan Airport, describing recent assertions by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike as “reckless, misleading, and false.”
In an official press statement released on Tuesday, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, clarified that the airport project is being executed and funded solely by the state government without any financial contribution from federal coffers.
Presidential Approval and Funding Clarification
According to the Oyo State Government, President Bola Tinubu’s explicit minute on the proposal submitted by Governor Makinde read: “Approved at no cost to the Federal Government.
The clarification was issued in response to remarks made by Mr. Wike during a television broadcast on Monday, where he claimed the President had “settled” Oyo State with ₦50 billion for the airport project.
Mr. Wike’s assertion does not originate from any Federal Executive Council decision, presidential approval, or statutory aviation infrastructure process,” Olanrewaju stated. “It is not an official communication of the Federal Government. It is not backed by documentation. It is not grounded in fact.”
The state government emphasized that statutory funding for aviation infrastructure follows traceable, publicly verifiable channels via the Federal Ministry of Aviation and regulatory agencies—none of which reflect the figure cited by the minister.
Scope of the Upgrade Project
The ongoing modernization of the facility—aimed at elevating it to an international passenger and cargo hub—includes the expansion and strengthening of the runway, upgrading airfield lighting and navigational systems, apron improvements, and the construction of supporting infrastructure such as the dualized Airport Road.
Call for Responsible Governance
Reiterating its commitment to transparency and accountability, the Oyo State Government warned against the weaponization of misinformation for political point-scoring and urged public officers to act responsibly.
“The claim is not only false; it is reckless, misleading, and capable of eroding public trust if left unchallenged,” Olanrewaju added. “Any suggestion to the contrary is a fabrication and a lie.”
