Tensions flared on Monday at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja as indigenous contractors took to the streets to protest what they described as the Federal Government’s continued failure to settle outstanding contractual obligations.
The demonstrators, under the banner of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), barricaded the ministry’s main gate, effectively halting both pedestrian and vehicular movement into the complex. The protest escalated shortly after the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, arrived at the premises.
Eyewitnesses said security operatives attempted to clear a path for the minister, but protesters stood their ground, leading to a heated confrontation. The standoff reportedly turned chaotic when a gunshot rang out as security personnel moved in to disperse the crowd.
The contractors accused the Federal Government of inconsistency and repeated delays in fulfilling payment commitments, arguing that the prolonged non-payment has disrupted project completion and delivery nationwide. They claimed that several projects, some already completed and officially commissioned by government representatives, remain unpaid.
According to the protesters, repeated assurances from government officials have failed to translate into action, leaving many contractors financially strained and unable to move forward with ongoing or future projects.
Monday’s protest follows similar demonstrations held last year, during which contractors demanded the immediate clearance of all verified debts owed by the Federal Government.
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In response to the growing outcry, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in December 2025, directed the formation of a committee to examine contractors’ claims and resolve outstanding payment issues. The Senate also set up its own investigative committee and summoned the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to clarify the circumstances surrounding the alleged unpaid obligations.
