Local contractors protest long-overdue payments from Nigeria’s Federal Government, blocking Ministry of Finance entrances to demand over N500bn owed.

Local contractors under the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria on Tuesday blocked both entrances to the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja to press for long-overdue payments for completed government projects.

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The protest was led by the association’s National Secretary, Babatunde Seun-Oyeniyi, who accused the Federal Government of failing to honour commitments despite multiple assurances.

Speaking at the ministry gates, Oyeniyi said contractors are owed more than N500bn for projects already completed and commissioned.

He explained that although Minister of Finance Wale Edun had indicated that part of the funds was available, no payments have been made.

“After the National Assembly intervened, they told us they would sit the minister down over this matter, and we immediately stopped the protest,” he said.

Oyeniyi added that repeated follow-ups with the minister produced no tangible results.

“They have not responded to our request. More than six times we have come here, including last week when we stayed overnight before the Minister arrived,” he stated.

Contractors claimed that some payment warrants had been sighted but no funds released, and alleged officials were attempting to defer payments to 2026.

Demonstrators carried placards reading, “Banks no longer have confidence in sponsoring government projects,” and banners stating, “It’s a crime against humanity for government not to pay contractors for about 360 days.”

Chants during the protest included calls for immediate payment, such as, “Na our money we need o, we don’t need anything, Wale Edun pay us, Tinubu pay us.”

The standoff left ministry staff and visitors stranded, highlighting tensions that have escalated in recent months.

In November, contractors stormed the National Assembly Complex, prompting the House of Representatives to suspend plenary for a week.

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The finance ministry has yet to issue an official statement regarding Tuesday’s protest.