Contractors block Finance Ministry over N500bn debt, accuse FG of delay tactics

Contractors under the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) staged a protest on Tuesday, barricading both entrances to the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja. The contractors are demanding the payment of over N500 billion for projects completed and commissioned.
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‎The protest, which left ministry staff and visitors stranded, resumed after the contractors accused the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, of repeatedly reneging on promises and attempting to defer payments into the 2026 fiscal year.
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‎AICAN National Secretary, Babatunde Seun-Oyeniyi, stated that the total overdue debt owed to indigenous contractors for completed projects is more than N500 billion.
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‎Oyeniyi stressed that despite assurances from Minister Edun, including a N150 billion available for partial payment, no funds have been released. The contractors claim they have seen payment warrants but no corresponding cash backing, accusing officials of deliberately stalling the disbursement process.
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‎The association’s fear is that the government is trying to turn the debt into a backlog, pushing the payments into the 2026 fiscal year, which they vehemently reject.
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‎The protesters vowed not to leave the ministry premises until their debts are settled, chanting ‘Na our money we need o, Wale Edun pay us, Tinubu pay us,