Nigeria’s House of Representatives has summoned key federal officials to account for the prolonged non-payment of contractors whose projects were completed as far back as October 2024, despite budgetary provisions made for them.
Invited to appear are Central Bank Governor Yemi Cardoso, Finance and Economy Minister Wale Edun, Minister for Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu, Accountant-General of the Federation Babatunde Ogunjimi, and Auditor-General Shaakaa Chira.
The summons followed a motion introduced by Delta lawmaker Ezechi Nnamdi, who raised concerns about the economic pressure on contractors due to the government’s failure to release funds.
He pointed out that although capital allocations were approved in the 2024 Appropriation Act, several Ministries and Agencies have received less than half of what they were budgeted.
Nnamdi highlighted the adverse consequences of this failure, including stalled projects, widespread financial strain among contractors, and a significant blow to the nation’s economy.
He cautioned that if corrective action is not taken swiftly, the situation could spiral into mass unrest and legal confrontations.
The House agreed to summon the officials to appear on May 13, 2025, to provide explanations and present a payment roadmap.
Furthermore, lawmakers instructed the Committees on Public Accounts and Budget to jointly investigate why funds have not been disbursed as expected and report their findings within a month.
The investigation will also examine accountability lapses in the agencies responsible for fund disbursement, with a view to restoring fiscal discipline and efficient project execution.
