The Oyo governor alleges that each state was due more than ₦250 billion from reconciled NLNG payments, warning that withholding the funds could delay planned development projects.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of spending dividends from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) meant for distribution to state governments.

 Makinde alleged that each state of the federation was entitled to more than ₦250 billion but had yet to receive its share.

The governor made the allegation during a stakeholders’ meeting on Oyo State’s 2027 budget at the International Conference Centre in Ibadan. 

He said the NLNG payments had been made into the Federation Account and the figures reconciled, but claimed the Federal Government spent the money without distributing it to the states.

Makinde said Oyo State had already identified projects that would have benefited from its expected allocation.

 According to him, the funds were intended to support investments that could expand the state’s economy and accelerate development.

The governor alleged that the Federal Government had spent the money despite the reconciliation of the figures and the expected payments to states. 

He added that Oyo had made plans based on the anticipated funds.

The governor also criticized suggestions that the payments could be delayed until after the 2027 general elections.

He argued that the welfare of Nigerians should take priority over political considerations, warning against allowing electoral timelines to determine when states receive funds intended for development.

Makinde’s comments raise questions about the status and distribution of the alleged NLNG dividend payments. 

The claims were made by the governor at the budget meeting; the account provided does not include a response from the Federal Government clarifying the funds’ status or explaining why the states have not received the allocations.