All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) members laid a symbolic coffin at the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja in a dramatic escalation of their struggle for unpaid debts. The contractors, who began a non-stop sit-in protest on Tuesday, accused the federal government of driving them to financial ruin by delaying the settlement of a staggering N4 trillion in outstanding payments.
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The protest, now in its second day, has effectively barricaded the ministry’s main gate, with demonstrators scattering sleeping mats, cooking utensils, and protest materials across the premises. Vowing to remain until their demands are met, the contractors have disrupted operations, forcing staff and visitors to navigate the blockade on foot.
AICAN, representing indigenous contractors who have executed numerous federal projects, is demanding the immediate release of N760 billion as the first tranche of payments. This amount was promised by Finance Minister Wale Edun during multiple meetings following the suspension of an earlier protest on November 6, 2025. That initial demonstration was paused after intervention by Senate spokesperson Sen. Adeyemi Adaramodu.
Speaking on behalf of AICAN President Jackson Nwosu, Secretary-General Babatunde Oyeniyi highlighted the minister’s repeated assurances that have yet to materialize. “After our protest on November 6, which we suspended because of the Senate’s intervention, we have been in dialogue with the Minister of Finance on how he is going to pay us. But unfortunately, he has failed to honour his promise,” Nwosu stated.
The association alleges that the ministry is now considering bundling the N760 billion with other funds and deferring disbursements to 2026 a move firmly rejected by the contractors. “Our next line of action is what we are doing now. We will not leave these premises. We will continue every day until we are paid,” Nwosu added.
Vice President Fredrick Agada echoed these frustrations, noting inconsistencies in the ministry’s requests. “He asked us to compile a list of our members entitled to the payment, which we submitted in hard copy. Unfortunately, he later asked us to interface with stakeholders. We asked who these stakeholders are, but he has refused to answer us.”
The protest’s stark symbolism the coffin shows the severe human toll of the delays. An AICAN executive told Daily Trust that the prop represents the deaths of members linked to financial stress. “Even last week we buried a member, Abdulganiyu. This has been going on for long, and it’s unacceptable. We lost six members recently due to high blood pressure.”
Innocent Asuelimen, a member of the association’s Media and Publicity Committee, emphasized the irony: “All we want is for our money to be released. The first phase of the project was funded 100 percent, and the government has showcased it to Nigerians. We have lost members and veterans. Interest is running every day. The government should pay our money.”
Deputy National President for North Central, Alhaji Abdullahi Yamani, called for urgent action, warning that further delays would exacerbate the contractors’ plight.
This is not AICAN’s first confrontation with the Finance Ministry. Recent reports indicate the federal government owes contractors upwards of N4 trillion for projects completed as far back as 2024, with some debts traced to the previous administration. The ongoing blockade follows a similar action on December 2, where protesters demanded at least N500 billion initially, highlighting the escalating scale of the crisis.
As of Wednesday, the ministry has not issued an official response, and tensions remain high. Security forces are monitoring the site, but no clashes have been reported. AICAN has threatened to sustain daily protests, potentially paralyzing the ministry’s functions until the funds are released.
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