Protesters forced the Account-General, Wale Edun, to resign in Abuja.

Protests Erupt Over Unpaid Government Contracts in Nigeria

Members of the Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (ICAN) staged protests in Abuja over the non-payment for contracts executed for the federal government. The President of ICAN, Muhammad Bashir Sanko, led the demonstration, which took place at an event in the city.

The protesters blocked the entrance to the Ministry of Finance, denying staff access and preventing the Minister of Finance and his convoy from entering the premises. They displayed placards condemning the delay in payment and the actions of the government, with messages such as "you cannot grow the economy by starving its builders" and "National Assembly is folding their arms watching Nigerian contractors suffer injustice".

The Coalition for Equity and Accountability in Public Finance (CEAPF) has joined the call for action, demanding the immediate resignation of Finance Minister, Wale Edun, and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi. The Coalition believes that these actions undermine transparency, destroy confidence in the sanctity of the budget process, and distort governance.

The CEAPF argues that the crisis has become both a financial and moral issue, requiring immediate action and not half-measures. The neglect has created a chain reaction of economic distress, affecting small businesses, suppliers, and workers who depend on the contracting system for their livelihoods.

The protesters demanded that the Minister of Finance address them after he accessed his office using an alternative gate. However, the permanent secretary came out to speak on behalf of the minister, but the protesters rejected this and insisted on the minister's presence.

The CEAPF stated that the President's reputation as a reformer is being called into question by the finance ministry's inability to honor the budget and pay for executed contracts. The Coalition insists that resignation is the only honourable course left for the finance minister and the accountant general, as anything less would amount to a "mockery of accountability".

The Coalition has also accused the duo of failing to pay contractors for projects duly captured in the 2024 budget and fully executed by local firms. They consider it unlawful and reckless for the Federal Government to execute and pay for projects not captured in either the 2024 or 2025 Appropriation Acts.

The CEAPF has planned to approach the National Assembly and lobby lawmakers across party lines to pass a vote of no confidence on the two officials if they refuse to vacate their offices voluntarily. The protests in Abuja are a clear indication of the growing frustration among contractors and the public over the government's handling of financial matters.