Atanda Demands FG Records of Oyo Mining Royalties, Licences, ₦50bn Airport Fund

A concerned citizen of Oyo State, Alhaji Liadi Atanda, has invoked the Freedom of Information Act to demand official records on mineral royalties, mining licences and special intervention funds linked to the state between 2019 and 2026.

Atanda directed his requests to the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office, Accountant-General of the Federation and Federal Ministry of Finance, seeking documentary evidence on revenues and funds associated with Oyo State.

One of the requests focuses on Pacesetter Minerals Development Company Limited (RC-1076034), with Atanda seeking certified records of mineral titles and mining licences granted to the company, as well as payment vouchers showing remittances made to the Oyo State Government from mining royalties collected between May 29, 2019 and December 29, 2025.

He also requested records relating to special intervention funds allegedly released to Oyo State, including funding for the reconstruction of Old Bodija and surrounding areas following the Bodija explosion.

In another request, he seeks the payment voucher and supporting documents for the ₦50 billion reportedly provided to Oyo State for the upgrade of Ibadan Airport.

Atanda specifically referenced the disclosure attributed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during a TVC interview on September 21, 2026, asking the relevant federal authorities to provide the primary documents behind the reported fund.

He also demanded comprehensive details of other special intervention funds disbursed to Oyo State from May 29, 2019, up to the date of his requests.

Explaining the move, Atanda said the objective was not to make accusations but to obtain official records showing what was approved, released, to whom funds were released and the purposes for which they were released.

“The issue is not about speculation, accusation or political confrontation. It is about records. Where public money is involved, citizens are entitled to ask for the documents showing what was approved, what was released, to whom it was released and for what purpose,” he said.

Atanda said obtaining the records would enable the public to distinguish between verified facts and statements made publicly, adding that transparency was strengthened when questions were answered with primary documents.

He said the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office had acknowledged receipt of the mining-related request, while the requests concerning special intervention funds had also been submitted to the relevant federal authorities.

Atanda urged the authorities to process the requests in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and make the requested records available.

He said the objective was simple: “Let the records speak.”