The Oyo State Government has dismissed as false and provocative, claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike that the Federal Government gave the state N50 billion for the reconstruction of the Ibadan airport.
The government in a press statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju on Monday, said the Federal Government did not give Oyo a kobo for the airport project.
According to the statement, President Bola Tinubu’s minute on the proposal submitted to him by Governor Makinde was “Approved at no cost to the Federal Government”, adding that the records are with the presidency and the Oyo State Government.
“This clarification became necessary in the light of a false and provocative statement made on a television station on Monday by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike that the president had ‘settled’ Oyo State with N50 billion for the reconstruction of the airport,” the statement said.
The government explained that in line with the approval granted by the Federal Government, which clearly stated that the airport upgrade would be undertaken at no cost to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government has fully financed a comprehensive transformation of the facility.
It listed the components to include the expansion and strengthening of the runway, upgrade of the airfield lighting and navigational systems, apron improvements, construction of supporting infrastructure such as the dualised Airport Road, enhanced aviation safety installations, and ongoing work on a modern international terminal designed to significantly boost passenger and cargo capacity.
“Every component of the upgrade has been executed and funded solely by Oyo State,” it stated.
The state government described Wike’s statement as both untrue and unfortunate, saying he should have sought knowledge on the matter before going on air.
“Mr. 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. It is not grounded in fact. It is a claim made without responsibility and without regard for the truth, and should therefore be disregarded by members of the public,” the statement said.
It added that aviation infrastructure funding follows strict due-process channels involving the Federal Ministry of Aviation and other regulatory bodies, noting that these channels are transparent, traceable, and publicly verifiable and none of them reflects the figure Wike circulated.
“The Oyo State Government will not allow misinformation, especially one of this magnitude, to be weaponised for political point-scoring or used to distort public understanding of government finances. The claim is not only false; it is reckless, misleading, and capable of eroding public trust if left unchallenged.
“Let it be stated unambiguously: The Federal Government did not give Oyo State N50 billion for the Ibadan Airport upgrade. Any suggestion to the contrary is a fabrication and a lie from the pit of hell,” the government said.
The Oyo State Government said it remains committed to transparency, accountability, and factual public communication, urging public officials to exercise restraint and responsibility, and to refrain from making unfounded statements that misinform citizens and politicise development efforts.
