The Federal Government has announced the disbursement of N152 billion to contractors for what it described as verified contracts, amidst ongoing protests regarding outstanding payments.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, confirmed that the payments were made following stringent verification procedures in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
Uzoka-Anite acknowledged the financial strain that payment delays have placed on contractors and assured that the ministry would continue to process all valid payment requests. “I wish to confirm that the Federal Ministry of Finance has disbursed a total of N152 billion to contractors for verified contracts,” she stated in a post on her X (formerly Twitter) page.
“Every payment undergoes rigorous verification in compliance with extant laws and regulations, ensuring the protection of taxpayers’ funds while upholding accountability and transparency. The Ministry acknowledges the financial pressures that delays in payment may have placed on contractors. We remain committed to continuous dialogue and engagement, seeking effective resolutions to all conflicts,” the statement read.
Since 2025, local contractors have staged protests over what they describe as a growing backlog of unpaid bills for projects executed for the Federal Government. Operating under the umbrella of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, protesters have intermittently blocked access to the finance ministry and the National Assembly complex to press their demands.
In December 2025, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a multi-ministerial committee to address the dispute, with outstanding claims estimated at approximately N1.5 trillion. Committee members include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu; the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa; and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji.
A Senate committee has also summoned Edun to explain the circumstances surrounding the delayed payments.
Protests escalated again on Monday when contractors blocked the gate of the Federal Ministry of Finance, preventing Uzoka-Anite from entering the complex. The situation turned chaotic as security personnel attempted to disperse the crowd, during which a gunshot was reportedly heard.
According to PUNCH Online, the Federal Government has budgeted N1.7 trillion in the 2026 Appropriation Bill to settle outstanding debts owed to contractors for capital projects executed in 2024.
The proposed 2026 national budget includes this amount under the line item titled “Provision for 2024 Outstanding Contractor’s Liabilities,” indicating official recognition of the delayed payments to contractors amid recent protests.
This budgetary provision comes in response to mounting pressure from indigenous contractors and civil society groups who raised concerns over unpaid contractual obligations in 2025.
In addition to the N1.7 trillion allocated for 2024 liabilities, the government has budgeted N100 billion for another line item labelled “Payment of Local Contractors’ Debts/Other Liabilities,” which may address legacy debts from previous years, smaller contract claims, or unsettled financial commitments not fully verified in the current audit cycle.
The total allocation of N1.8 trillion is part of the broader N23.2 trillion capital expenditure planned for the 2026 fiscal year, aimed at boosting infrastructure delivery while addressing past obligations
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