President Bola Tinubu expressed “serious dissatisfaction” on Wednesday regarding the backlog of unpaid federal contractors and announced the establishment of a high-level committee to resolve the delays and ensure payments are made.

While briefing reporters from the State House after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga indicated that the President was “discontented” upon discovering that nearly 2,000 contractors are awaiting payment.

“He made it abundantly clear that he is unhappy and desires a comprehensive solution,” Onanuga informed journalists. “A key point during the FEC meeting was that the President conveyed very strong dissatisfaction about the situation of contractors being owed money.

“The Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement informed the President that approximately 2000 contractors are owed funds, which greatly disturbed him. Consequently, the ministers will investigate the issue to truly find a resolution and secure the necessary funds to pay the contractors,” he added.

He also stated that the committee will consist of the Ministers of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Works, Dave Umahi; Education, Olatunji Alausa; Housing, Ahmed Dangiwa; and Marine & Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, alongside the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Kurfi, and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji.

“All members are expected to convene, devise a plan as a committee, meet regularly, and subsequently present their proposed resolution to the President regarding fund allocation for contractor payments,” he continued.

Onanuga also pointed out that the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement updated the Council on the extent of the outstanding legacy debts, prompting the President’s directive.

“The goal is to locate the necessary funds and rectify the situation of paying contractors. We need to examine the issues at hand. What has been causing this predicament? Why is it that the FIRS claims we are generating more revenue, yet we still owe contractors? What might be the reason for this situation?

“That’s why he formed a multi-ministerial committee to investigate the issue. He even mentioned that, as a sovereign nation, borrowing to pay those contractors could be an option. However, I believe that by the time those in the committee meet with him today, we will identify a solution,” he remarked.

Onanuga’s comments follow weeks of mounting pressure from contractors who have voiced their concerns regarding delayed payments for work completed since last year.

In early September, the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria held a protest at the Finance Ministry in Abuja, claiming that over N4 trillion was owed for certified 2024 capital projects—a figure they also mentioned during a demonstration at the National Assembly.

The Ministry of Works had previously recognized the backlog and initiated a verification exercise in January 2024 to tackle approximately N1.5 trillion owed for federal highway contracts.