Nigeria’s House of Representatives has suspended plenary for one week following a protest by indigenous contractors demanding payment for completed government projects. The decision came after a motion of urgent public importance was raised by Kabiru Maipalace (APC, Zamfara), urging the House to pause sittings until the Federal Government fulfills its promise to settle outstanding debts under the 2024 and 2025 budgets.
Earlier on Tuesday, contractors stormed and barricaded the entrance of the National Assembly, blocking access to the complex and disrupting legislative activities. The protesters, owed for contracts executed across ministries, vowed to continue their demonstration for seven days until the debts are cleared.
The blockade delayed the day’s proceedings and triggered tension among lawmakers, prompting Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu to call an emergency closed-door meeting. Before the executive session, four urgent motions were stepped down as members debated the growing frustration among unpaid contractors.
During deliberations, the Minority Leader criticized the government’s failure to implement the 2024–2025 budget, describing it as a major blow to economic stability. He lamented that despite repeated meetings with the Ministers of Finance and Budget, and assurances from President Bola Tinubu, contractors remained unpaid.
“Contractors—our brothers and sisters—are at the gate protesting that they have not been paid for jobs executed since 2024. We have engaged the Executive multiple times, but the promises made have not been kept,” the Minority Leader said.
He added that the government’s failure to pay indigenous contractors had worsened economic hardship, increased poverty, and heightened public tension nationwide. The House subsequently issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Ministers of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and the Accountant General of the Federation to verify and clear all debts owed to local contractors.
Maipalace then moved for an immediate adjournment of plenary for one week, arguing that the House should not reconvene until updates on the payment directive were received. Supporting him, Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, said, “During this one week, the contractors have vowed to continue their protest and make this place inaccessible. It is only reasonable for us to step aside and allow the Executive to act.”
In response, Deputy Speaker Kalu quipped, “So, you’re saying members arrived late today because the road was blocked by contractors, and you don’t want a repeat next week?” Waive replied, “Definitely, Mr Speaker.”
The House unanimously adopted the motion, stepped down all items on the Order Paper, and adjourned plenary until next week. The leadership was also mandated to liaise with the Executive to ensure prompt payment and prevent a recurrence of the disruption.
