By Jane Okeke
The Association of Indigenous Contractors of Nigeria (AICAN) has issued a stern warning that it will embark on a nationwide protest on November 3, 2025, to press home demands for payment of outstanding funds for 2024 projects allegedly executed for the Federal Government.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, AICAN’s National President, Mr. Jackson Ifeanyi, described the situation as “a grave injustice” to indigenous contractors who had faithfully executed their contractual obligations.
According to him, several completed projects have already been commissioned by the government, yet payments remain unsettled — a development he said had pushed many contractors into deep financial distress.
“Unfortunately, the government has failed to honour these contractual agreements. AICAN can no longer endure this unfair treatment, which has left our members heavily indebted and financially crippled,” Ifeanyi declared.
He stated that the association had resolved to stage peaceful demonstrations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) if all outstanding payments were not made before the end of the week.
“The protest will continue until the government fulfils its financial obligations,” he said, adding that members would take to the streets to publicly display their demands and draw national attention to their plight.
The AICAN president also advised contractors across the country to boycott participation in any 2025 capital or recurrent projects unless mobilisation funds were released upfront.
“We shall continue to speak against the continuous denial of long-standing payments deliberately withheld by the government,” he stressed.
Also speaking, AICAN’s National General Secretary, Mr. Babatunde Seun, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in the matter to alleviate the financial hardship currently faced by indigenous contractors.
In his remarks, the National Director of Planning, Research and Strategy, Mr. Stanley Agboni, maintained that the 2024 projects were duly and legally executed, hence deserving of prompt and full payment.
“We are appealing to Mr. President to intervene as a matter of urgency. Nigeria is our country, and we are doing everything possible to make it great,” Agboni said.
He noted that the contractors remained patriotic Nigerians committed to national development but warned that continued neglect could weaken the capacity of local contractors and derail the government’s infrastructure agenda.
Contractors Threaten to Paralyse FCT Over Unpaid 2024 Projects
