On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, members of the Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria staged a protest at the entrance of the Ministry of Finance in Abuja, demanding the immediate release of funds owed to them for projects completed since 2024.
The contractors, frustrated by the non-payment for their work on federal government contracts, blocked the main gate of the ministry, preventing staff and even the minister’s convoy from entering.
Carrying placards with various messages, the protesters voiced their grievances, calling for urgent action to settle the outstanding payments.
The demonstration disrupted access to the ministry, with the protesters refusing entry to employees and rejecting an attempt by the permanent secretary to address them. They insisted on speaking directly with the Minister of Finance.
The minister eventually entered the premises through an alternative gate, but the contractors remained steadfast, continuing their demand for a direct response from the minister regarding the unpaid funds.
This protest highlights ongoing concerns about delayed payments to contractors, raising questions about the government’s financial management and its impact on local businesses.
