Tension erupted at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Monday, January 19, 2026, when protesting local contractors blocked Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister of State for Finance, from accessing the ministry complex.
The protesters, operating under the umbrella of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), barricaded the ministry’s main gate to demand payment of outstanding debts owed by the federal government for completed projects.
As Uzoka-Anite arrived at the premises, security operatives attempted to clear a path for her entry, but the contractors resisted, insisting that no official would gain access until their grievances were addressed.
The standoff escalated when a gunshot was fired, heightening tension at the scene. No injuries were reported as of the time of filing this report.
The protest reflects mounting frustration among indigenous contractors over prolonged delays in the payment of certified contract sums across several ministries, departments and agencies.
In December 2025, President Bola Tinubu ordered the constitution of a committee to verify and resolve the backlog of unpaid contractor debts, following complaints that the delays were crippling local businesses.
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The Senate had earlier summoned officials of the finance ministry to explain the persistent non-payment.
AICAN leaders have repeatedly warned that failure to settle the outstanding obligations could trigger sustained protests, arguing that many contractors are struggling to stay afloat due to liquidity constraints.
Monday’s incident marks the latest escalation in pressure on the federal government to urgently resolve the issue of unpaid contractor liabilities.