Indigenous contractors block Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja over unpaid N4tn obligations, demanding government settle verified contract payments from 2024-2025

Tension gripped the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Monday as indigenous contractors blocked access to the complex, preventing Minister of State for Finance Doris Uzoka-Anite from entering.

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The protest, organised by the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), was sparked by unpaid obligations allegedly owed by the Federal Government for projects executed in 2024 and 2025.

Contractors claimed that delayed payments had caused severe financial distress, including loan defaults and asset seizures.

“The government has failed to honour the agreement to pay contractors whose project details had been submitted and verified. Payments finalised before the closure of the payment portal at the end of December never reflected in our accounts,” said Jackson Nwosu, President of AICAN.

He insisted that only 30 to 40 per cent of verified claims had been paid, contrary to official statements claiming 80 per cent settlement.

As Uzoka-Anite’s convoy approached, security personnel attempted to clear the protesters, leading to a confrontation during which a gunshot was reported.

Demonstrators continued chanting, demanding immediate payment.

Fredrick Agada, AICAN Vice President, condemned the use of intimidation rather than addressing the grievances, describing the demonstration as peaceful.

The Secretary-General, Babatunde Oyeniyi, said the association had engaged the Ministry of Finance and other relevant agencies since June 2025 without meaningful resolution.

The protest highlights mounting frustration over unpaid contracts despite a December 2025 federal committee led by Minister of Finance Wale Edun and other key officials to address N1.5tn owed to contractors.

The 2026 Appropriation Bill earmarks N1.7tn for 2024 liabilities and an additional N100bn for other local contractor debts, forming part of a N23.2tn capital expenditure plan.

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AICAN has vowed to continue demonstrations until all verified obligations are fully settled, stressing that indigenous contractors should not face delays compared with foreign firms.