Tension flared at the Federal Ministry of Finance on Monday as aggrieved local contractors mounted a protest that disrupted official activities and temporarily halted access to the government complex.
The demonstrators, operating under the banner of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, locked down the main entrance in a dramatic push to force the federal government to address what they described as years of unpaid obligations.
Trouble escalated when the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, arrived at the premises but was unable to enter after protesters rejected attempts by security operatives to clear a passage.
Chanting angrily, the contractors accused authorities of indifference to their plight.
One protester said the continued non-payment was “destroying livelihoods and pushing families into hardship.”
Amid the confrontation, panic briefly spread when a gunshot rang out, reportedly as security personnel tried to disperse the crowd and restore order at the gate.
According to the protesters, many of their members completed government contracts long ago but have yet to receive payment, despite repeated assurances from relevant ministries and agencies.
They further alleged that funds appropriated for contractor payments in the 2024 and 2025 budgets have not been released, worsening the financial strain on indigenous firms.
“This is not just about money; it is about trust and survival,” an AICAN representative said, adding that several contractors are facing bankruptcy due to mounting debts and stalled cash flow.
The latest protest follows similar demonstrations staged last year at the National Assembly complex and the finance ministry, highlighting growing frustration within the sector.
In December 2025, President Bola Tinubu constituted a multi-ministerial committee to address the backlog of unpaid contracts, estimated at about N1.5 trillion.
The panel includes senior officials from finance, budget, works, housing, and revenue agencies.
Moreover, the Senate has also stepped into the matter, with a committee inviting the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to clarify the reasons behind the prolonged payment delays.
However, with protests resurfacing, contractors insist that concrete action, not committees, is now required to resolve the impasse and restore confidence in government commitments.