Nigerian FG Sets December 20 Deadline to Clear Road Contractor Debts

 

​The Nigerian Federal Government has taken steps to resolve the deepening crisis with road contractors by setting a firm deadline to settle outstanding debts. Following days of protests by contractors over prolonged non-payment for executed and ongoing projects, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved the constitution of a special committee to verify and clear all legitimate claims before December 20, 2025.

​Contractor Protests and Financial Demands

​Contractors, operating under the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, had staged protests, including a symbolic demonstration at the Ministry of Finance, alleging that the government owed them a total of approximately ₦4 trillion. They specifically demanded the immediate release of ₦760 billion, which they claimed the Minister of Finance had previously promised to disburse.

​Minister Umahi, speaking during the reopening of the repaired Keffi Flyover, acknowledged the debt backlog and urged contractors to halt the protests, assuring them that President Tinubu was personally aware of the issue and had directed swift resolution.

​Transparency and Future Project Oversight

​In an unprecedented move aimed at boosting transparency and public confidence, the Ministry of Works also disclosed that it has formally invited the nation’s anti-graft agencies, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to conduct a comprehensive audit of all federal road projects across the 36 states and the FCT.

​According to the Minister, this measure ensures that all future payments accurately reflect the work completed. Additionally, the government is introducing an online platform for real-time monitoring, allowing citizens to track the progress of federal road projects and raise concerns.

​The government also affirmed its commitment to quality by defending the use of concrete pavement technology and enforcing a stringent defect-liability regime for contractors. The announcement of the payment deadline and the commitment to transparency signal a major push by the administration to stabilize the infrastructure sector and ensure the timely completion of crucial projects, such as the rehabilitated Keffi Flyover, which was recently restored following a structural failure.