Indigenous contractors protested in Abuja this week over nearly ₦4 trillion in unpaid 2024 contracts.
The streets filled with banners and chanting as contractors demanded long-overdue payments.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Finance confirmed that it had paid ₦152 billion to verified contractors on Thursday.
Contractors Hit The Streets
Presidential aide Dada Olusegun shared the statement on X (formerly Twitter) to announce the payment.
The ministry explained that it follows strict verification processes to protect public funds and ensure accountability.
“The FMF has paid ₦152bn to contractors for verified contracts,” the statement emphasised.
It added that delays strain contractors, but it urged continuous dialogue to resolve remaining disputes.
Financial Strain And Delays
Contractors argued that they completed, inspected, and certified many projects, yet the government still owes payments.
Small firms with limited credit reported financial stress due to these delays.
Furthermore, some contractors had to scale down operations or temporarily halt new projects.
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Protests are not new; contractors also marched in December 2025 over similar payment disputes.
In August 2025, Finance Minister Wale Edun announced that the government had already settled over ₦2 trillion of obligations.
Despite this, contractors insist that the government still owes significant balances, hitting local firms hardest.
Government Action And Outlook
The 2026 Appropriation Bill allocated ₦100 billion specifically to pay local contractor debts.
Contractor groups welcomed the allocation but argued that it remains far below the amounts claimed.
They warned that prolonged delays could cause abandoned projects, lost jobs, and liquidity problems in construction.
For now, contractors continue to protest, highlighting tension between government processes and urgent financial needs.
Ultimately, Abuja’s streets reflected frustration, resilience, and the struggle of small businesses awaiting justice.
