— President Ifeanyi Jackson Decries Crushing Debts, Family Hardships, Says Demonstration Will Not Stop
Abuja — AWC News Desk | December 2025
Tensions escalated in Abuja this week as members of the Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (ICAN) stormed the Federal Ministry of Finance, vowing to continue their peaceful occupation of the premises until payment alerts for completed 2024 projects reflect in their bank accounts.
Led by their National President, Chief Ifeanyi Jackson, the contractors blocked entrances to the finance ministry in Abuja demanding immediate release of long-delayed funds owed for federal projects executed across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The protest, now in its second major wave, is drawing nationwide attention.
“We Will Not Leave Until Alerts Come In” — Jackson
Speaking in a media chat monitored by AWC, Chief Ifeanyi Jackson said the protest was born out of desperation and severe financial distress faced by thousands of indigenous contractors.
“Our members are sinking in debts to banks. Many can no longer feed their families. Some cannot pay school fees, rents, or service the loans they took to execute government projects. It has become an ugly, heartbreaking situation,” he lamented.
He insisted the protest would continue:
“We will not stop. We will remain here until payment alerts enter our accounts. Not promises — actual alerts.”
Protest Peaceful, Orderly — “We Blocked No Roads”
Contrary to speculations of disruption, Chief Jackson clarified that the demonstration remained completely peaceful and non-obstructive:
“Let it be known: we didn’t block roads, we didn’t harass anyone, we didn’t hinder citizens from going about their lawful duties. We were orderly. Our grievance is with government’s refusal to pay us, not with Nigerians.”
Witnesses confirmed that while the ministry gates were blocked, vehicular movement around the Central Business District remained free.
-Government’s Delayed Payments Causing Economic Hardship
The contractors executed various 2024 federally funded projects — from rural electrification and health centres to water supply and road repairs — but payment delays have reportedly stretched beyond six months in many cases.
Many contractors took bank loans pegged to fluctuating interest rates, and the delay has triggered:
Accumulating loan penalties and defaults
Asset seizures and threatened foreclosures
Collapse of small and medium indigenous contracting firms
Family hardships leading to school dropouts and evictions
Jackson noted:
“Some of our members have lost properties. Some are in the hospital. A few are battling depression. This is beyond business — it’s becoming humanitarian.”
Previous Government Assurances Unfulfilled
The protest follows a series of engagements between the association and federal officials. Last week, contractors temporarily suspended demonstrations after receiving assurances that the Ministry of Finance would begin phased payments.
However, no payments were released, fueling fresh anger.
-Contractors Dare Authorities: “Arresting Us Will Not Stop This”
Some protesters told AWC that they are prepared for a prolonged sit-in, even if security agencies attempt to disperse them.
A senior contractor remarked:
“We built the projects. We delivered quality work. Government must pay us. We are not afraid.”
Possible Implications
The ongoing deadlock could:
Delay 2025 project kick-off
Trigger wider demonstrations by other contractor associations
Strain government–private sector relations
Disrupt budget performance metrics
Affect national infrastructure pipeline
Some analysts warn that Nigeria risks discouraging indigenous contractors and empowering foreign firms who often get priority in payments.
Calls for Urgent Intervention
The contractors have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently direct the Ministry of Finance to release funds, warning that ignoring the “Contractors Besiege Ministry, Vow to Continue Protest Until Payment Alerts Drop”
He insisted the protest would continue
“Let it be known: we didn’t block roads, we didn’t harass anyone, we didn’t hinder citizens from going about their lawful duties. We were orderly. Our grievance is with government’s refusal to pay us, not with Nigerians.”
Witnesses confirmed that while the ministry gates were blocked, vehicular movement around the Central Business District remained free.
AWC will continue monitoring the situation as pressure mounts on the federal government to resolve the payment backlog and avert escalation.
