Earlier, Minister of Works David Umahi had promised to clear verified arrears owed to federal contractors before the end of 2025. However, only partial payments were made amid revenue constraints, prompting the inclusion of the N1.7tn line item in the 2026 budget as a catch-up mechanism. They want to shift us to 2026; that 2026, they are going to pay,” he alleged. “In the last quarter, we did pay contractors over N2tn to settle outstanding capital budget obligations. Tinubu directed the setting up of a committee to verify all claims from federal contractors.

Source: Punch January 09, 2026 06:33 UTC