Commotion broke out at the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Monday, when protesting local contractors prevented Doris Uzoka-Anite, its Minister of State, from accessing the complex.
The local contractors staged a peaceful protest at the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance over alleged delay in payment for projects executed and commissioned.
As at December, the local contractors estimated the debts at over N1.5 trillion owed to them by the Federal Government.
In December 2025, President Bola Tinubu set up a multi-ministerial committee to resolve the debt owed to federal contractors, with outstanding payments at about N1.5 trillion.
Under the umbrella of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), the protesters lamented the delay in the completion and commissioning of projects, accusing the government of constantly shifting its position.
The protesters blocked the entrance into the Ministry of Finance, chanting songs of solidarity and calling on the minister to settle the alleged debt arrears.
The showdown is a continuation of the series of protests last year, to demand the payment of all outstanding debts owed by the Federal Government.
According to the contractors, most of the executed and commissioned projects are yet to be paid for.
However, President Tinubu had, in December 2025, directed that a committee be set up to address the issues.
A similar committee set up by the Senate has also invited the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to explain the circumstances surrounding the non-payment of the “debts”.
When Uzoka-Anite arrived at the entrance, security operatives attempted to create a pathway into the building for her —a move that was rejected by the demonstrators.
“How many people government go kill ooo… how many people government go kill,” they chanted in unison.
Amid the scuffle, a gunshot was heard as security personnel attempted to disperse the protesters.
In December 2025, President Bola Tinubu set up a multi-ministerial committee to resolve the debt owed to federal contractors, with outstanding payments at about N1.5 trillion.
The committee members are Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy; Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning; Tanimu Yakubu, director-general of the budget office; Dave Umahi, minister of works; Ahmed Dangiwa, minister of housing and urban development; and Zacch Adedeji, chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
A senate committee had also invited Edun to shed more light on the circumstances behind the payment delay.
