Makinde Accuses Tinubu Government of Withholding Over ₦250bn in NLNG Payments for Each State
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of spending Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) dividend payments meant to be shared among states of the federation. He claimed each state was expected to receive more than ₦250 billion from the payments.
Makinde made the allegation on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting on the 2027 budget at the International Conference Centre in Ibadan. He said the money had been paid into the Federation Account, but states had yet to receive their expected shares.
According to the governor, the figures had already been reconciled following a consultancy process, paving the way for the payments to be distributed to the states. He alleged, however, that the Federal Government spent the funds instead of sharing them as expected.
“They fooled us. The Nigeria LNG paid dividends to the Federal Government, which went straight into the Federation Account, but they spent it,” Makinde said.
The governor questioned why the states had not received their allocations despite the reconciliation of the figures. He maintained that each state was supposed to receive more than ₦250 billion and accused the Tinubu administration of keeping the money for itself.
Makinde said Oyo State had already identified projects for which it intended to use the expected funds. According to him, the investments would help expand the state’s economy and support its development plans.
The governor also criticised reported plans to delay payment until after the 2027 general elections. He argued that the welfare of Nigerians should take priority over political considerations.
Makinde’s comments raise questions about the status of the alleged NLNG dividend payments, the basis for the projected allocations and the reasons the states have reportedly not received the funds. The claims were made by the governor, and the supplied report contains no response from the Federal Government addressing the allegations.