Makinde Disputes Wike’s Claim Of N50bn Federal Funding For Ibadan Airport

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has disputed a claim by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike that the Federal Government provided N50bn to support the upgrade of the Ladoke Akintola International Airport in Ibadan. Makinde addressed the claim on Tuesday while speaking at the Makinde/Daura 2027 Presidential Town Hall meeting in Katsina, part of his campaign’s zonal engagements ahead of the 2027 general election.

The dispute followed comments Wike made during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout on Monday, where he said President Bola Tinubu’s administration had supported Oyo State with N50bn for the airport project. Makinde rejected the claim as false, saying, “The President did not give me or Oyo State N50 billion to upgrade the Ibadan Airport. The Ibadan Airport upgrade project is being undertaken 100 per cent with the funds of Oyo State.”

The governor said his attention had been drawn to Wike’s interview and decided to address it before proceeding with other matters at the Northwest consultative meeting. According to earlier reports, Makinde’s administration flagged off the airport upgrade in September 2024 at an initial cost of ₦41 billion, with the domestic terminal completed in October 2025. The disagreement adds to friction between Makinde and Wike, who have previously been political allies within the PDP’s G5 governors’ group.