There was commotion at the entrance of the federal ministry of finance in Abuja on Monday, when protesting local contractors prevented Doris Uzoka-Anite, the minister of state for finance, from accessing the complex.
The protesters, under the aegis of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), blocked the gate of the ministry over debt owed by the federal government.
When Uzoka-Anite arrived at the entrance, security operatives attempted to create a pathway into the building for her — a move that was rejected by the demonstrators.
“How many people government go kill ooo… how many people government go kill,” they chanted in unison.
Amid the scuffle, a gunshot was heard as security personnel attempted to disperse the protesters.
The contractors had accused the federal government of refusing to pay them for projects executed.
They had also accused the federal government of refusing to release the funds earmarked in the 2024/2025 budgets.
Last year, the contractors organised a series of protests at the National Assembly Complex and finance ministry.
In December 2025, President Bola Tinubu set up a multi-ministerial committee to resolve the debt owed to federal contractors, with outstanding payments at about N1.5 trillion.
The committee members are Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy; Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning; Tanimu Yakubu, director-general of the budget office; Dave Umahi, minister of works; Ahmed Dangiwa, minister of housing and urban development; and Zacch Adedeji, chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
A senate committee had also invited Edun to shed more light on the circumstances behind the payment delay.
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