Indigenous contractors under the aegis of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest in Abuja over alleged nonpayment of contract funds reportedly exceeding ₦500 billion.
More than 100 contractors, accompanied by their families and staff, converged on Eagle Square before marching to the Ministry of Finance to demand payment for projects they claim have been fully executed but remain unpaid.
Led by AICAN National Secretary, Babatunde Oyeniyi, the protesters accused the Federal Government of repeatedly failing to honour commitments despite several meetings and assurances. Oyeniyi said the contractors suspended an earlier protest following the intervention of the National Assembly and a subsequent meeting with the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun.
According to him, the minister had assured that ₦150 billion was available for part payment but failed to fulfil the promise, directing the contractors back to the National Assembly.
“Since then, we have been in dialogue with the minister. He told us he had ₦150 billion and that what they owe us is little compared to that, yet up till now nothing has been paid. We have visited the ministry more than six times,” Oyeniyi said.
He maintained that the government’s total indebtedness to AICAN exceeds ₦500 billion, alleging that the prolonged delay has caused severe hardship for contractors and their families.
Another member of the group, Innocent Anslem, stressed the association’s role as a major employer of labour and warned that withholding payments threatens national development.
“We do not have any issue with the government. All we want is our money. The 2024 ‘Renewed Hope’ Budget was funded 100 per cent by members of our association. We executed the contracts the government is showcasing. Yet we remain unpaid,” he said.
Anslem added that many contractors have suffered financial ruin, with some reportedly losing their lives as a result of the prolonged debt.
Protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Banks No Longer Have Confidence in Sponsoring Government Projects,” “Work Done, Payment Overdue,” and “You Are Killing Small Businesses. Pay What You Owe.”
Others read: “Though We Can Not Have Value for Our Money Again, Pay Us What You’re Owing Us,” “It’s a Crime Against Humanity Not to Pay Contractors for 360 Days,” and “Don’t Pay 2025 Until You Finish Paying 2024 Budget.”
The contractors also chanted songs, including one directed at government officials: “Na our money we need oh he… Wale Edun pay us, Tinubu pay us.”
AICAN said it will continue peaceful protests until the government honours its financial obligations. The Ministry of Finance has yet to issue an official response.
