The Federal Government has announced that it has disbursed N152 billion to contractors for what it termed verified contracts, amid ongoing protests over unpaid dues.

In a statement on Thursday, Minister of State for Finance Doris Uzoka-Anite said the payments were made following strict verification procedures in accordance with existing laws and regulations.

She acknowledged the financial challenges contractors have faced due to payment delays and assured that the Ministry of Finance would continue to process all legitimate payment requests.

“I wish to confirm that the Federal Ministry of Finance has disbursed a total of N152bn to contractors for verified contracts.

“Every payment undergoes rigorous verification in accordance with extant laws and regulations, ensuring the protection of taxpayers’ funds and upholding accountability and transparency.

“The ministry acknowledges the financial pressures that delays in payment may have placed on contractors. We remain committed to continuous dialogue and engagement, seeking effective resolutions to all conflicts,” she said in a statement posted on her X (formerly Twitter) page. “

Since 2025, local contractors have staged protests over what they described as a mounting backlog of unpaid bills for projects executed for the Federal Government.

Organising under the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, the protesters have at various times blocked the gates of the Ministry of Finance and the National Assembly to press their demands.

In December 2025, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a multi-ministerial committee to address the dispute, with outstanding claims estimated at around N1.5 trillion.

The committee’s members include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu; the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa; and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji.

A Senate committee had also summoned Wale Edun to explain the circumstances surrounding the delayed payments.

The protests escalated on Monday when contractors blocked the gate of the Federal Ministry of Finance, preventing Minister of State Doris Uzoka-Anite from entering the complex.

The situation reportedly turned violent, with a scuffle breaking out between the minister’s security personnel and the protesters, during which a gunshot was heard as security forces attempted to disperse the crowd.