Category: Daily Trust

As stakeholders in the Nigeria oil and gas gather to review the Nigerian Content progress and its implementation priorities during the 15th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) forum 2026, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has driven local content from 5% in 2010, to 61%, while indigenous producers now account for more than 50 per cent of the country’s oil and gas production.

The Practical Nigerian Content forum, holding from November 30th to December 3rd at the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, will provide a platform for regional partners to hear firsthand from the government and private sector on local content implementation best practices.

Speaking on the significance of the Forum, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the PNC Forum as an important platform for reviewing Nigeria’s local content journey and shaping the next phase of industry growth.

He said as several African countries continue to look toward Nigeria’s local content framework as a reference point for strengthening indigenous participation and industrial development, PNC Forum 2026 is expected to further reinforce Nigeria’s leadership in local capacity development across the continent.

Organised by dmg Nigeria events in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the PNC Forum has served as the industry’s leading platform for reviewing Nigerian Content progress and aligning stakeholders on implementation priorities.

This progress has positioned Nigeria as a leading reference point for indigenous participation across Africa.

Through NCDMB’s 10-year roadmap, over 50,000 jobs have been created, reflecting a wider shift toward in-country value creation, local enterprise development and stronger domestic capacity across the oil and gas value chain.

Wemimo Oyelana, Country Director, dmg events Nigeria, said that the Forum has remained central to the progress in uplifting the local content quota by providing a platform for regulators, operators, indigenous service companies, manufacturers, financiers and other key stakeholders to align on implementation priorities, address industry challenges and identify practical pathways for strengthening Nigerian participation across the oil and gas value chain.

He said the 2026 edition comes at a defining moment for the industry as stakeholders reflect on 15 years of Nigerian Content implementation while preparing for a new phase shaped by evolving energy realities, investment demands, financing needs and the push for stronger execution capacity across the sector.

‘This landmark edition will feature the Strategic Forum, including dedicated Nigerian Content Townhall sessions designed to foster meaningful dialogue between industry stakeholders and the NCDMB, complemented by the Showcase Arena, a Site Visit, Gala Dinners, and multiple high-impact networking functions.

‘As PNC returns for its 15th edition, the Forum will not only reflect on 15 years of progress, but also help shape the next chapter of Nigerian Content implementation and industry development in Nigeria and across Africa,’ he said.

Alexander Zverev finally secured his maiden Grand Slam title with a dramatic five-set victory over Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in the French Open final on Sunday.

The second seed became the first German man to win a major tournament since Boris Becker at the 1996 Australian Open with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1 victory after four hours and 16 minutes.

‘This court is so special to me in so many ways… but now finally, it’s a happy end,’ said Zverev, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the 2022 semifinal against Rafael Nadal on Court Philippe Chatrier, where he was also edged out in five sets by Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 final.

It was Zverev’s fourth Grand Slam final and second at Roland Garros after some heartbreaking near misses in his career.

‘We’ve been through losses, we’ve been losers at times as well in the most important moments,’ he said during the trophy presentation, turning to his team.

‘But at the end of the day, we’re Grand Slam champions now, and that’s what counts.’

Cobolli, the 10th seed, was bidding to become the first Italian man since Adriano Panatta to win the French Open in 50 years.

The 24-year-old had never even played a Slam semifinal before, let alone a final, after his last-four opponent Matteo Arnaldi withdrew from the tournament through illness.

The Federal Government has unveiled new measures aimed at tackling school abductions, insecurity and other emerging threats to basic education across the country.

It said issues of school safety, education in emergencies, climate change and gender-based violence have now been incorporated into key operational guidelines for School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) documents to strengthen community participation in protecting schools and ensuring uninterrupted learning.

The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, disclosed this in Kano on Monday at a three-day training programme on the revised SBMC operational documents for stakeholders from the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Represented by head of Community Engagement and Social Mobilisation at the commissione, Patricia Uche, the ES said rising cases of banditry, kidnapping and attacks on schools informed the review.

‘One of the major updates is education in crisis. We are talking about recent cases of banditry, kidnapping and other security challenges affecting schools and communities,’ she said.

Uche explained that the revised guidelines would help mobilise communities to play more active roles in protecting schools and supporting efforts to keep children in classrooms.

‘We have also introduced safe school initiatives because many public primary schools are not fenced and remain vulnerable. We want communities to become more involved in identifying risks and advocating measures that will make schools safer for learners and teachers,’ she added.

She said climate change and gender-based violence were also incorporated into the revised documents due to their growing impact on education.

According to her, flooding and extreme weather conditions have continued to damage school infrastructure, while bullying and sexual harassment remain concerns in some schools.

‘The reality is that these challenges are affecting education delivery. We have to move with the times and ensure they do not hinder basic education in Nigeria,’ she said.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Yusuf Kabir, said the state government remained committed to supporting initiatives aimed at improving learning outcomes and school governance.

Represented by the Director of Upper Basic Schools at the board, Maikudi Abdul Al-Alawy, the Chairman said due to the importance the state attached to education, it has for over three years been allocating over 30 percent of its annual budget to education.

Meanwhile, National SBMC representative, Kabiru Aliyu, disclosed plans to digitalise SBMC activities nationwide to enable schools report challenges in real time through a national dashboard for prompt intervention.

He said the initiative would strengthen monitoring and improve responses to security threats and other challenges affecting schools across the country.

Sahara Group Foundation has commissioned a new Sahara Go Recycling Hub in Masaka, Nasarawa State.

In a statement, it said this is to extend structured recycling access to communities in Northern Nigeria, adding it was delivered in partnership with the Nasarawa State Waste Management Authority (NASWAMSA).

Speaking at the event, Sahara Group Foundation’s Director, Chidilim Menakaya, said the launch underscores the Foundation’s focus on scalable solutions that combine environmental stewardship with community empowerment.

‘Masaka represents an important next step in expanding access to sustainable waste management across Nigeria.

‘Through the Sahara Go Recycling, we are showing how collaboration can unlock cleaner communities, stronger livelihoods, and shared prosperity. This is the kind of practical, inclusive impact that Sahara Beyond XXX stands for, creating sustainable value at scale through EXTRApreneurship,’ she said.

Menakaya added that Sahara Go Recycling continues to demonstrate how collective action can build cleaner, more resilient communities through innovation, collaboration, and local participation.

On his part, Director of Waste Management, NASWAMSA, Ishaku Ibrahim, described the initiative as a timely partnership that strengthens responsible waste management while opening socio-economic opportunities for residents.

‘This hub brings a practical solution to waste challenges in Masaka and surrounding communities,’ he said, adding, ‘Beyond improving environmental outcomes, it creates a pathway for residents to participate in a cleaner future while deriving economic value from recyclable materials. We are proud to partner Sahara Group Foundation on this important step for Nasarawa State.’

Since launch, Sahara Go Recycling has delivered measurable social, economic, and environmental impact.

The initiative has supported the recycling of more than 1,000 tonnes of materials and directly and indirectly impacted over 2,000 livelihoods across collection, sorting, logistics, and community enterprise value chains.

By turning waste into opportunity, the programme is helping reshape attitudes to recycling while advancing more sustainable lifestyles in underserved communities.

Nigeria recorded a total of N34.78tr worth of foreign trade in the first quarter of 2026, a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has shown.

The report, released on Monday, stated that exports accounted for 60.85% of total trade with a value of N21.16tr, showing an increase of 2.77% over the value recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2025 (N20.59tr) and an increase of 11.63% compared to the value recorded in Q4 2025 (N18.96tr).

On the other hand, imports accounted for 39.15% of total trade in the first quarter of 2026, with a value of N13.61tr, representing a 18.17% decrease compared to N16.64tr recorded in Q1 2025, and 21.05% decrease from N17.25tr recorded in Q4 2025.

Analysis showed that crude oil remained Nigeria’s major exported commodity in the first quarter of 2026 with a value of N11.2tr, representing 52.92% of total exports.

A further breakdown revealed that the value of non-crude oil exports stood at N9.96tr, accounting for 47.08% of total exports; of which non-oil products contributed N3.18tr or 15.05% of total exports.

It noted that China remained the leading source of imports in the first quarter of 2026, followed by the United States of America, India, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates.

‘The most imported commodities during the quarter were petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (crude), gas oil, durum wheat, machines for the reception, conversion, and transmission of voice, images, or data, and used vehicles with diesel or semi-diesel engines.’

‘The value of agricultural goods imported in Q1 2026 stood at N827.72bn, representing a 20.09% decrease compared to N1.03tr recorded in Q1 2025, and a 42.39% decrease relative to N1.43tr recorded in Q4 2025.

It added that the import value of raw material goods was N1.58tr, representing a 12.63% decrease from ?1.81tr in Q1 2025, and a 32.72% decrease compared to N2,35tr in the preceding quarter (Q4 2025).

On export, Nigeria’s top five trading export partners were India, France, The Netherlands, Spain, and The United States of America, while the most exported commodities were crude oil, natural gas, Urea, whether or not in aqueous solution, other petroleum gases in a gaseous state, and Kerosine type jet fuel.

It disclosed that exports of agricultural goods in the period under review amounted to N1.17tr, representing a 31.20% decline from N1.70tr in Q1 2025 and an 11.39% decrease from N1.32tr in Q4 2025.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 20, 2026, for the by-election to fill the vacant position for Nasarawa North Senatorial District seat.

The seat became vacant following the death of Senator Godiya Akwashiki in December 2025

Beyond filling the vacancy left by Akwashiki, who served from 2019 to 2025, is the fact that the poll holding in about two weeks, has quickly evolved into a strategic battleground for political parties jostling for relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections and for some of the most prominent politicians in the zone to test their popularity.

The race is not just about replacing a senator; it is about testing party structures, managing internal divisions, and signaling strength in a zone historically resistant to the ruling party’s dominance.

The vacancy and zoning decision

Nasarawa North Senatorial District comprises three local government areas: Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon, and Wamba. Following Akwashiki’s death, stakeholders across the zone, including Governor Abdullahi Sule of Akwanga LGA, reached a unanimous decision to zone the senatorial ticket to Nasarawa Eggon, the late senator’s hometown. This consensus reflects the long-standing political norm in the state of rotational power-sharing among the LGAs within the zone, aimed at managing ethnic and religious diversity and maintaining intra-party cohesion.

The zoning decision immediately narrowed the field of contenders and intensified lobbying within Nasarawa Eggon. For the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in the state, zoning also served as a tool to manage ambitions and present a united front.

However, as history in Nasarawa politics shows, consensus at the stakeholder level does not always translate into harmony at the grassroots, especially when primary elections produce aggrieved aspirants.

The major parties are fielding candidates with deep electoral experience, making the by-election a contest of political heavyweights rather than political novices.

APC: Danladi Halilu Envulanza

The APC picked Danladi Halilu Envulanza, the longest-serving Secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC), as its candidate. Envulanza hails from Nasarawa Eggon and brings technocratic credentials and federal experience to the race. His selection aligns with the zoning arrangement and positions the APC to leverage the incumbency advantage of the state government.

Envulanza is not new to electoral contests. He ran for the same Senate seat in 2023 on the APC platform, but lost to the late Akwashiki, then of the SDP. That history is both an asset and a liability: he understands the terrain, but he also carries the burden of a previous defeat.

The APC machinery in Nasarawa is formidable, with control of state resources and the governor’s influence. The party’s goal is clear: win Nasarawa North to expand its footprint in a zone that has long been an opposition stronghold, thereby improving its prospects in 2027.

However, the APC faces an internal bottleneck. The outcome of its recent primary election generated grievances among aspirants and their supporters. How the party manages these fallouts will determine whether it can consolidate votes or lose a critical bloc to protest voting or apathy. In Nasarawa North, where margins are often slim, internal disunity could be fatal.

Labour Party: Labaran Maku

Former Minister of Information Labaran Maku has been affirmed as the Labour Party’s candidate. Maku is a veteran politician with a strong base in Nasarawa Eggon. He won the LGA during the 2015 governorship election under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) but lost it to Emmanuel Ombugadu in 2019 under the same governorship contest. His political resilience and ability to mobilize are well known.

Maku’s candidacy is also tied to 2027. He has already been affirmed as the Labour Party’s senatorial candidate for the 2027 general elections. Winning the by-election would boost his momentum and position him to challenge Governor Sule, who is expected to be the APC’s senatorial candidate for Nasarawa North in 2027. But Maku’s path is complicated by a factional split within the Labour Party.

Benjamin Ashime is also laying claim to the party’s ticket for the by-election, raising the specter of divided votes and legal disputes. If unresolved, the factionalization could undermine Maku’s chances despite his political weight.

PDP: Emmanuel David Ombugadu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fielded Emmanuel David Ombugadu, the party’s 2023 governorship candidate and a two-time House of Representatives member for the Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/Wamba federal constituency from 2011 to 2019. Ombugadu is aligned with the Wike faction of the PDP and remains a central figure in Nasarawa’s opposition politics.

Ombugadu’s electoral record in the zone is strong. He has twice won the House of Representatives seat covering the entire senatorial district, demonstrating his ability to secure votes across Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon, and Wamba. Political observers see his senatorial run as part of a broader strategy to galvanize support ahead of another gubernatorial bid in 2027. A strong showing in the by-election would validate his influence and energize the PDP base. Like Maku, Ombugadu benefits from the zone’s historical inclination toward opposition candidates.

NDC: Architect Ishaya Dodo

Architect Ishaya Dodo from Akwanga local government area is flying the flag of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). While the NDC lacks the structure of the APC, PDP, or Labour Party, Dodo’s presence adds another layer to the contest and could affect vote distribution, especially if the major parties fail to consolidate their bases.

Historical context: An opposition stronghold

Nasarawa North’s political history is critical to understanding the 2026 by-election. Since 1999, the zone has largely resisted the ruling party at the senatorial level. The only exception came in 2019 when the late Akwashiki, then on the APC platform, defeated former Deputy Governor Mike Abdul of the PDP by a slim margin. That victory underscored the APC’s capacity to penetrate the zone when it fields a candidate with local appeal and when opposition forces are fragmented.

Religious and ethnic dynamics also shape the zone’s politics. Since 1999, Nasarawa North has elected Christian candidates to the Senate in every cycle except 2011. That year, Senator Musa Nagogo was declared the winner by INEC and served for several months before the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the late Solomon Ewuga of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). The pattern suggests that identity politics, particularly Christian representation, remains a potent factor in voter behavior in the zone.

APC’s challenge: Turning structure into votes

As the ruling party, the APC enters the by-election with structural advantages: control of the state government, access to resources, and the influence of Governor Sule, who hails from the zone. Winning Nasarawa North would not only fill the Senate vacancy but also signal the APC’s growing competitiveness in a hostile terrain, boosting morale ahead of 2027.

Yet the party’s biggest challenge is internal. The fallout from the primary election must be contained. Aspirants who lost out and their supporters need to be reconciled to avoid vote hemorrhaging. In a zone where elections are decided by narrow margins, even a small bloc of disaffected APC members could tip the balance. The party’s ability to manage post-primary grievances will be as important as its campaign strategy.

Moreover, the APC must contend with the zone’s historical resistance to the ruling party. Voters in Nasarawa North have shown a willingness not to align with t the party in power at the center or state when they perceive alternatives that align with local interests. Envulanza’s technocratic profile may appeal to some, but he will need to translate that into grassroots mobilization.

Opposition strategy

For the opposition, the by-election is an opportunity to reaffirm Nasarawa North’s status as an opposition stronghold. Maku and Ombugadu, both seasoned politicians, are expected to wage aggressive campaigns. Maku’s dual objective, winning the by-election and setting up for 2027 means he has every incentive to run an intensive campaign. His challenge is to unify the Labour Party or at least minimize the damage caused by the Ashime faction.

Ombugadu, meanwhile, is playing a longer game. By contesting the Senate seat, he keeps his political machinery active and expands his reach across the three LGAs. His supporters believe that his House of Representatives victories, where he polled votes comparable to the senatorial candidate, demonstrate his capacity to mobilize the district. A strong performance now would position him as a formidable contender in the 2027 governorship race.

NDC’s Ishaya Dodo’s candidacy could draw votes from disgruntled members of the major parties, adding unpredictability to the outcome.

The 2027 shadow

Every aspect of the 2026 by-election is colored by 2027. For Governor Sule and the APC, a victory would weaken the opposition’s narrative and strengthen the party’s claim to dominance in Nasarawa. For Maku, it is a stepping stone to a direct confrontation with Sule for the Senate seat in 2027. For Ombugadu, it is a platform to rebuild momentum after his 2023 gubernatorial loss.

The by-election will also test INEC’s preparedness and the political climate in Nasarawa. Akwashiki’s death created a vacuum, but the contest to fill it has exposed the underlying tensions and ambitions that will define the state’s politics in the next cycle.

The June 20, 2026, Nasarawa North Senatorial by-election is more than a routine replacement poll. It is a litmus test for party strength, candidate viability, and voter sentiment in a zone with a history of defying the ruling party. The APC has the machinery but must heal internal wounds. The Labour Party and PDP have experienced candidates but face challenges of unity and strategic positioning. The NDC adds an element of unpredictability.

With zoning settling the question of origin, the contest now hinges on party management, voter mobilization, and the ability of candidates to connect with an electorate that has consistently valued local identity over party loyalty. Given the political profiles involved and the historical voting pattern in Nasarawa North, the outcome remains uncertain. That uncertainty is what makes this by-election one of the most closely watched political events in Nasarawa State as the countdown to 2027 begins.

Kachalla Muhammad, a bandit kingpin, has said that he did not release the wife of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, as he had promised because he did not want security agencies to take credit for her release.

The retired major general and his wife were abducted while travelling to Katsina on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

Their vehicle was ambushed along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area.

But Kachalla in an audio message circulating on social media said he suspended the plan because of the heavy presence of security personnel in the area.

The bandit leader said he had initially indicated willingness to release the retired general’s wife, but later declined because of the ongoing security operations in the area.

He said, ‘I had promised the General that I would release his wife, but the deployment of security personnel in the area made me change my mind.’

Kachalla also expressed anger over the arrest of individuals he claimed were linked to his group, warning that the arrests had complicated efforts toward any possible dialogue.

He further demanded the release of three persons his people allegedly in government custody and the return of cattle allegedly seized during security operations in the Jikamshi area.

The bandit leader stated that meeting the demands could pave the way for peace and an end to attacks in the area.

However, the Katsina State government has expressed optimism that security operatives would rescue of the retired military officer and his wife.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, said security and intelligence operations had advanced significantly since the abduction.

According to the statement, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda had directed security agencies to prioritise efforts aimed at securing the safe release of the couple and other victims held in captivit

‘The way this attack was carried out suggests it was carefully planned and specifically targeted. This has influenced the government’s response strategy. Security agencies are working around the clock, deploying intelligence and technology to locate the victims and secure their release,’ the statement read.

In politics, some journeys are measured not by the distance travelled but by the message they convey. Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s visit to Adamawa State scholarship students studying in Turkey falls squarely within that category.

Beyond the photographs, handshakes, and exchanges with students, the visit carried a deeper significance: it reaffirmed the central place of education and human capital development in the future of Adamawa State.

In a country where public discourse often revolves around roads, bridges, and other physical infrastructure, it is easy to overlook the fact that the most valuable investment any government can make is in people.

Buildings may define the skyline of a state, but it is educated and skilled citizens who ultimately define its destiny. By taking the time to meet Adamawa students thousands of kilometres away from home, Governor Fintiri underscored an important principle: development is not only about constructing infrastructure; it is equally about constructing human capacity.

The visit was symbolic in many respects. It demonstrated that the administration views its scholarship beneficiaries not merely as recipients of government support but as strategic assets whose success is tied directly to the future prosperity of the state. It sent a powerful message that government support does not end once students leave the shores of Nigeria. Rather, they remain part of a larger vision aimed at producing a generation equipped with the knowledge, skills, and global exposure necessary to transform Adamawa.

The importance of this cannot be overstated. Across the world, societies that have achieved sustained development have done so largely because they invested heavily in education and human capital. Nations rise when they deliberately cultivate scientists, engineers, doctors, technologists, entrepreneurs, researchers, and professionals capable of driving innovation and economic growth. The scholarship programme is therefore more than an educational intervention; it is an investment strategy for the future.

By visiting the students in their academic environment, Governor Fintiri was also able to gain firsthand insight into their experiences, challenges, and aspirations. Such engagement strengthens the bond between government and beneficiaries while reinforcing accountability on both sides. The students are reminded that the resources committed to their education come with expectations of excellence, discipline, and service to society.

More importantly, the visit highlights a governing philosophy that increasingly places human capital at the centre of development planning. Adamawa’s progress in recent years has often been discussed in terms of infrastructure renewal, urban development, and public sector reforms. Yet the scholarship initiative demonstrates that the administration understands a deeper truth: infrastructure may accelerate development, but human capital sustains it.

The students studying in Turkey today represent more than individual success stories. They are future doctors who may strengthen healthcare delivery across the state. They are future engineers who may design critical infrastructure. They are future entrepreneurs who may create jobs and expand economic opportunities. They are future educators who may inspire the next generation. In many ways, they embody the long-term dividends of today’s investments.

There is also a broader lesson in the governor’s engagement with these students. Leadership is often judged by what is visible in the present. However, the most consequential leaders are frequently those who make investments whose full benefits may only be realized years later. Scholarship programmes belong to that category of investments. The returns are not immediate, but when they materialize, they can transform entire societies.

For Adamawa, the strategic value of nurturing globally trained professionals is immense. As the world becomes increasingly knowledge-driven and technologically advanced, states that fail to invest in education risk falling behind. Conversely, states that cultivate skilled human resources position themselves to attract investment, stimulate innovation, and compete effectively in a rapidly changing global economy.

Governor Fintiri’s visit therefore goes beyond a routine engagement with students abroad. It is a statement of intent. It reflects an administration that recognizes that the future of Adamawa will not be determined solely by the roads it builds or the projects it commissions, but by the quality of the men and women it prepares to lead the next chapter of its development.

Ultimately, the students in Turkey are more than scholarship beneficiaries; they are ambassadors of Adamawa’s aspirations. They represent the state’s belief in the transformative power of education and the conviction that the surest pathway to lasting development lies in empowering people.

In meeting them, Governor Fintiri was, in many respects, meeting the future itself.

The Oyo State Government on Monday demolished a building identified as one of the locations where the sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons were allegedly held captive by kidnappers in Ibadan.

The demolished structure was reportedly linked to the gang responsible for the abduction of Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul.

Daily Trust had reported how the victims were abducted along Elewura, Ring Road, Ibadan, while Mrs. John-Paul was taking her sons to school.

According to the government, investigations carried out after their rescue identified the building as one of the hideouts used by the kidnappers during the period of captivity.

The demolition exercise was conducted by the Ministry of Lands and Housing in collaboration with security agencies following intelligence reports linking the structure to the criminal operation.

The state government said the action was part of efforts to reinforce its zero-tolerance stance against criminality.

The victims were rescued during a coordinated operation by the Nigeria Police Force, which led to the neutralisation of two suspected kidnappers and the arrest of others.

Contractors under the umbrella of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) on Monday resumed protests at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, questioning reports that the Federal Government had paid N700 billion to local contractors.

The amount is part of the outstanding payments linked to the N1 trillion the contractors say is owed for capital projects executed in 2024.

Speaking during the protest, the association’s National President, Mr Jackson Nwosu, said many contractors were yet to receive payments despite previous assurances from government officials.

Nwosu said AICAN representatives had earlier met with officials of the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, where they were informed that about N40 billion would be released to beneficiaries.

According to him, contractors submitted payment lists covering various categories of claims and expected the funds to begin reflecting in beneficiaries’ accounts last Friday.

‘We were expecting all the payments to drop into beneficiaries’ accounts by Friday, but that did not happen. Only a few persons, from what we have seen, have received payments,’ he said.

Nwosu said contractors had relied on loans and other sources of financing to execute projects and appealed to the government to expedite the payment process.

‘We borrowed money from banks, financial institutions and private lenders to execute projects. Government is taking the glory while contractors are suffering,’ he said.

The association’s National Secretary, Mr Babatunde Seun, also questioned reports that N700 billion had been paid to local contractors, saying members had not received confirmation of such payments.

‘We came out this morning because of the news that N700 billion had been approved. We have submitted claims running into billions and many contractors have still not been paid. That is why we are here,’ he said.

Seun also opposed proposals for partial payments, insisting that contractors who completed projects under previous budget cycles should be fully settled.

He added that delays in the issuance of warrants to some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were affecting the payment process.

Another member of the association, Ndubueze Kingsley, described the situation as concerning, saying contractors who completed projects were still awaiting payment.

‘I have been a contractor for almost 25 years and this is the first time contractors are negotiating endlessly after completing jobs,’ he said.

Kingsley said delayed payments had created financial challenges for some contractors.

He added that protesters would remain at the ministry’s entrance until their concerns were addressed and agreements reached with government officials were implemented.

Responding to the protesters, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Ministry of Finance, Mr Mohammed Sanusi, said the approved funds were still undergoing the necessary payment processes.

According to him, government is managing several financial obligations and is working to settle outstanding liabilities.

‘Some of these monies have been approved. Please get it clear, approval is different from payment. We had a meeting with the Accountant General and we are working on contractors’ payments.

‘N700 billion has been approved by the Federal Government for payment to the contractors. An additional N70 billion has been assigned for payment to this association.

‘Payment will start dropping any moment from now,’ Sanusi said.