Tensions flared in Abuja on Monday as the frustrations of local contractors boiled over into a chaotic standoff at the Federal Ministry of Finance. Members of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) staged a blockade at the ministry’s entrance, effectively preventing Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister of State for Finance, from accessing her office.
The atmosphere, already charged with the grievances of unpaid debts, escalated sharply when security personnel fired a gunshot into the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd. While the sudden discharge caused panic among the demonstrators, no injuries were reported. The shot, intended to restore order, instead underscored the desperation and volatility of the situation.
At the heart of the conflict is a staggering sum of unpaid claims. The contractors allege that the Federal Government owes them over N4 trillion for completed projects. Despite verification of these contracts and promises of settlement, the funds have yet to materialize in their accounts. Jackson Nwosu, the president of AICAN, voiced the collective anger of the group, stating that the government had failed to honor its agreements. He noted that even payments supposedly finalized before the payment portal closed in December had not been remitted.
The blockade is not an isolated incident but the latest in a series of demonstrations that began in 2025. Contractors argue that while the government claims to have settled a majority of debts, the reality on the ground is starkly different. They assert that only a fraction—between 30 and 40 percent—of outstanding payments have been made, with warrants halting as far back as May 2025. The financial strain has been devastating for many indigenous firms, leading to bank defaults and asset seizures as they struggle to service loans taken to execute government contracts.
Fredrick Agada, Vice President of AICAN, condemned the security forces’ use of firearms, describing it as intimidation against a peaceful assembly. He reiterated that the contractors were unarmed and merely demanding their rightful dues. This sentiment was echoed by Babatunde Oyeniyi, the association’s Secretary-General, who highlighted that diplomatic efforts involving the Ministry of Finance and the National Assembly since June 2025 have yielded no results.
The government has made moves to address the backlog. In December, President Bola Tinubu established a multi-ministerial committee, including Minister of Finance Wale Edun and Minister of Works Dave Umahi, to manage the arrears. Additionally, N1.7 trillion has been allocated in the 2026 appropriation bill specifically for settling contractor debts. However, for the men and women standing outside the ministry, these bureaucratic steps are too slow. They argue that foreign contractors are paid without delay, while indigenous firms are left to wither, a disparity they vow to protest until every verified debt is cleared.
