Led by the association’s National Secretary, Babatunde Seun-Oyeniyi, the contractors accused the Federal Government of reneging on repeated assurances to settle payments and accused officials of attempting to push disbursements into the 2026 fiscal year.
Speaking to journalists at the ministry, Oyeniyi said, “After multiple assurances from the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, no payment has been made. Members of our association are owed more than N500 billion for completed projects. We have followed up six times, and despite sighting payment warrants, no funds have been released. We won’t leave until we are paid.”
The protest paralyzed access to the ministry, leaving staff and visitors stranded. Contractors carried placards reading: “Banks no longer have confidence in sponsoring government projects”, “Many contractors have lost their lives through suicide”, “You are killing small businesses, pay what you owe”. Other banners highlighted grievances, including: “It’s a crime against humanity for government not to pay contractors for about 360 days”, “Payment delays is fraud, not just injustice” and “No payment to contractor, no peace”.
Chants echoed the frustration of contractors: “Na our money we need o, we don’t need anything, Wale Edun pay us, Tinubu pay us.”
Oyeniyi further accused officials of deflecting responsibility back to the National Assembly, which had previously mediated in the dispute. He warned against continued delays, noting that some contractors faced severe financial hardship due to the outstanding payments.
Tensions have escalated in recent months. In November, contractors disrupted proceedings at the National Assembly, prompting a week-long suspension of plenary, citing unpaid funds for the 2024 and 2025 budget cycles.
The Ministry of Finance has yet to issue a formal response to Tuesday’s protest.
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