FG disburses ₦152 billion to contractors following protests
The federal government has announced the payment of ₦152 billion to contractors for verified projects, following weeks of protests over outstanding debts.
In a statement on Thursday, Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of State for Finance, confirmed that the payments were made after rigorous verification in accordance with existing laws and regulations to ensure transparency and protection of taxpayers’ funds.
Uzoka-Anite acknowledged the financial strain the delayed payments had placed on contractors and assured that the Ministry of Finance remains committed to processing all legitimate payment requests promptly.
READ ALSO: FG allocates ₦49bn for inmates’ feeding, uniforms
“The Federal Ministry of Finance has disbursed a total of ₦152 billion to contractors for verified contracts,” the statement read. “We continue to engage in dialogue to resolve all outstanding conflicts.”
The payments come after local contractors, under the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), staged protests since 2025 to demand payment of debts amounting to about ₦1.5 trillion for completed federal projects.
In December 2025, President Bola Tinubu established a multi-ministerial committee tasked with resolving the payment backlog, involving key officials from finance, budget, works, housing, and tax authorities.
READ ALSO: SMEDAN moves to secure CBN licence for microfinance bank as FG targets one million additional firms
The protests escalated recently when contractors blocked the gate of the Ministry of Finance, preventing Minister Uzoka-Anite from entering, leading to clashes with security personnel and a reported gunshot during the attempted dispersal.
The federal government continues to engage stakeholders as efforts persist to clear outstanding payments and restore confidence in timely contract settlements.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
