Nearly 17 months after the tragic explosion that rocked Bodija Estate in Ibadan, victims have finally begun to receive financial support from the Oyo State Government.
This development was confirmed by the President of the Bodija Estate Residents’ Association (BERA), Muyiwa Bamgbose, during a press conference held in Ibadan. The event was jointly organised by BERA, the Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group (DOVG), and members of the wider Bodija community.
Describing the financial relief as a “long-awaited but critical step towards healing and rebuilding,” Bamgbose expressed heartfelt gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde for fulfilling his earlier promise to the affected residents.
“This disbursement brings hope to those still bearing the emotional, physical, and economic scars of that fateful day,” he said. He also commended the governor for his “compassionate leadership and unwavering commitment to justice,” describing the relief fund as a testament to responsive governance.
According to Bamgbose, the Oyo State Government, through its Relief Fund Management and Disbursement Committee chaired by the Deputy Governor, approved a total support package of ₦4.08 billion. This followed extensive assessments by professional bodies, which identified 318 buildings within the 500-meter blast radius as significantly impacted.
The committee also recommended financial compensation for families who lost loved ones, registered tenants, and owners of damaged vehicles.
While highlighting the coordinated emergency and humanitarian response led by agencies such as NEMA, OYSEMA, UCH, Nigerian Red Cross, DSS, and NSCDC, BERA also outlined its own role. These included emergency mobilisation, GIS-based impact mapping, transparent registration of affected persons, and organised community-wide support.
Technical assistance for the relief efforts came from leading professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), and the Geoinformation Society of Nigeria (GEOSON), Oyo Chapter.
The medical community, particularly UCH and several private hospitals, were also praised for providing timely medical attention, medication, and blood transfusions during the critical aftermath of the explosion.
