Makinde Questions Tinubu on NLNG Dividend Disbursement

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has demanded an explanation from President Bola Tinubu’s administration regarding the nearly $3 billion in dividends received from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) since 2023. This challenge arose after the Presidency rejected Makinde's claims that the Federal Government was withholding NLNG dividends, which he alleged resulted in a shortfall of about N9 trillion for state and local governments.

During the 2027 Budget Stakeholders’ Consultative Engagement in Ibadan, Makinde stated that each state was expected to receive N250 billion from these dividends. In response, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, labeled the governor's claims as false, asserting that NLNG had never paid $25 billion in dividends in one payment and had paid approximately $21.5 billion over 25 years, with less than $3 billion since Tinubu took office.

Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde’s Special Adviser on Media, maintained that the governor's claims were valid and questioned how the funds were disbursed, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding the $3 billion received under the current administration.