Economist Pat Utomi has strongly denied claims made by Ibikunle Amosun that he was blacklisted by the Ogun State House of Assembly prior to Amosun’s tenure as governor. Utomi dismissed the allegations, stating that he has never engaged in any business transactions with the Ogun State government that would warrant such action.
“Why would I have been blacklisted? I have never had any business with Ogun that would lead them to whitelist, let alone blacklist, me,” Utomi remarked. He emphasized his policy of avoiding business dealings with state governments, except when necessary for land matters, where the government holds sole authority.
Utomi expressed shock over the accusation, questioning the rationale behind it. “Why would the House of Assembly blacklist me? For what? I have never had any business transactions with Ogun State until that time. It frightens me that public officials can make such preposterous accusations against me,” he said.
The allegations surfaced following Amosun’s response to Utomi’s comments on a cancelled agriculture-related project involving the Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited. Utomi had criticized the handling of the project, leading Amosun to describe the professor as “entitled.”
In his rebuttal, Utomi reiterated that he had no business dealings with Ogun State and used the opportunity to criticize Nigeria’s acquisition of a presidential jet fleet, calling it “unnecessary.” He highlighted the inefficiency and irresponsibility often displayed by state governments in contract dealings, which he believes tarnish Nigeria’s international reputation.
“Many countries better off than Nigeria do not have presidential fleets. The British, from whom we learned modern statecraft, typically don’t have a prime ministerial jet. The prime minister leases jets for assignments,” Utomi noted.
He also lamented the frequent changes in contract terms when new governors assume office, which, according to him, has led to significant losses for Nigeria and discouraged foreign investment. Utomi pointed out similar cases in other Nigerian states and criticized the lack of discipline among public officials in speaking the truth.
“The only time I have ever been in business with Ogun State was when we were trying to develop an agricultural value chain project,” Utomi concluded, dismissing the blacklisting allegations as baseless.
