Gunfire Erupts at Finance Ministry During Protest Over ₦1.5 Trillion Contractors’ Payment Dispute
Tensions escalated on Monday at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja when local contractors, under the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), blocked the entrance to prevent the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, from entering.
The protesters aimed to highlight the federal government’s alleged failure to settle outstanding debts for completed projects.
Witnesses reported that security personnel attempted to clear a passage for the minister, but the protesters resisted. During the confrontation, a gunshot was reportedly fired as security forces tried to disperse the crowd.
The contractors accused the government of refusing to honor payment commitments despite budget allocations. “They have not paid us for work already completed,” stated one protester, noting that funds allocated in the 2024 and 2025 budgets had not been released.
This is not the first such demonstration; similar protests occurred last year at the National Assembly Complex and the Ministry of Finance, with little progress made.
In December 2025, President Bola Tinubu established a multi-ministerial committee to address the issue, which involves approximately ₦1.5 trillion in unpaid contractor liabilities.
Members of the committee include Finance Minister Wale Edun, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu, Director-General of the Budget Office Tanimu Yakubu, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ahmed Dangiwa, and Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of FIRS.
Additionally, a Senate committee has summoned Edun to explain the delays in payment.
