The media team of the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has refuted claims suggesting that he and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, were indicted by a House of Representatives committee over the Baro Inland Port project.
In a statement signed by the Coordinator of the AMBO Media Fronts, Adebayo Adedeji, the team described the reports as false and misleading, accusing political opponents of spreading misinformation to tarnish the reputations of the two public officials.
“The Baro Inland Port, located in Niger State, was commissioned in January 2019 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Rehabilitation and Operationalisation of the port had recently invited NIWA and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to provide updates on the project”.
However, AMBO Media clarified that both Adegboyega Oyetola and Bola Oyebamiji assumed office four years after the port’s commissioning and had no involvement in the contract or its execution.
“The sensational claim that the Honourable Minister and the NIWA boss are under investigation for corruption is entirely false. No corruption allegation has been levelled against them,” the statement read.
According to the media team, Bola Oyebamiji appeared before the House Committee on July 29, 2025, and gave a presentation detailing the historical significance of the Baro Port, its current non-operational status, and the infrastructural challenges affecting its functionality.
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He explained that although the port was fully built and commissioned, poor access roads and the inactive Baro-Minna-Zaria-Kano rail line had prevented it from becoming operational. He urged the lawmakers to facilitate the rehabilitation of critical road and rail infrastructure to enable the port’s full operation.
“Members of the committee were said to have commended Bola Oyebamiji’s presentation and leadership at NIWA. They reportedly pledged to engage the Ministries of Works and Transportation, as well as the Nigerian Railway Corporation, to support efforts aimed at making the port operational.
The committee also invited both Bola Oyebamiji and the Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola to participate in a scheduled physical inspection of the port and surrounding infrastructure”.
AMBO Media expressed concern that some individuals were misrepresenting the fact-finding engagement as an indictment, describing the actions as a politically motivated smear campaign ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship race.
“The intent of these political jobbers is to undermine the rising popularity of Asiwaju Oyebamiji in Osun State,” the statement alleged. “But their tactics will not succeed, as the people remain supportive of AMBO’s track record in commercial banking and public finance.”
The statement reaffirmed Bola Oyebamiji’s commitment to transparency, economic development, and service to the nation.
