Contractors Shut Down Finance Ministry Over Unpaid N500bn Debt

Activities at the Federal Ministry of Finance were grounded on Tuesday as members of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria barricaded the ministry’s main entrances in protest over the Federal Government’s alleged failure to settle debts exceeding N500bn for completed projects.

The demonstration, which disrupted vehicular and human movement around the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, saw contractors carrying placards and chanting songs demanding immediate payment. Messages on their banners included: “Banks no longer have confidence in sponsoring government projects,” “Contractors deserve payment, not fake promises,” and “Don’t pay 2025 until you finish paying 2024.”

Speaking to journalists, the association’s National Secretary, Babatunde Seun-Oyeniyi, accused the government of shifting its position repeatedly and failing to honour commitments made during previous engagements. He said despite several assurances, no funds had been released.

“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. “But they have not responded to our request. More than six times we have come here. Last week, we were here throughout the night before the Minister of Finance came.”

Oyeniyi explained that the contractors were growing increasingly concerned after Finance Minister Wale Edun reportedly stated during earlier meetings that about N150bn was available for partial payment. “We don’t know why it is causing delays,” he said, adding that the group had only “seen warrants but no cash backing.”

He alleged that officials were attempting to push their payments into the next fiscal year. “They want to shift us to 2026. They will turn us into debt, and we don’t want that. We won’t leave here until we are paid.”

The renewed protest follows a similar three-day demonstration in early November, which was suspended after the House of Representatives intervened. However, tension between contractors and government officials has continued to escalate, with lawmakers recently suspending plenary for a week when protesters stormed the National Assembly Complex over the same issue.

As of press time, the Ministry of Finance had yet to issue any formal response to the latest blockade, while protesters vowed to remain at the gates until their outstanding payments are cleared.