The National Association of Nigerian Students, Joint Campus Council, Oyo State Axis, has urged the Federal Government to release NLNG dividend funds that state governments have not received, claiming the money is being withheld until after the 2027 general elections. The student body warned that delaying these funds could harm state governments' ability to provide basic services and carry out development projects.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had stated that the administration of President Bola Tinubu was spending NLNG dividends meant for states, saying each state was supposed to receive over 250 billion naira from NLNG payments. The student group said withholding funds legally due to state governments raises questions about constitutional accountability and whether public welfare is being sacrificed for political interests.
The council argued that governance should not be shaped by electoral considerations and that infrastructure projects such as road repairs, school improvements and hospital equipment cannot be delayed for political reasons. It maintained that public money should be distributed according to established laws and procedures, guided by the public interest.
The student association urged the Federal Government to provide a clear and transparent explanation for the reported withholding and to promptly release all amounts lawfully due to eligible states. It called on Nigerians to distinguish between partisan disagreements and broader constitutional and economic questions surrounding these funds.