President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate settlement of N1.5 trillion in verified debts owed to indigenous contractors for federal projects, expressing grave displeasure at the prolonged delays during Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the President was visibly upset after the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) briefed the Council on the scale of outstanding liabilities. Tinubu demanded a “one-stop, permanent solution” and constituted a high-powered inter-ministerial committee chaired by Finance Minister Wale Edun to clear the backlog and propose sustainable funding mechanisms.

Committee members include Budget & Economic Planning Minister Atiku Bagudu, Works Minister Dave Umahi, Education Minister Olatunji Alausa, Housing Minister Ahmed Dangiwa, Marine & Blue Economy Minister Gboyega Oyetola, Budget Office DG Tanimu Yakubu, and FIRS Chairman Dr. Zacch Adedeji.

Tinubu left open the possibility of borrowing to meet obligations if necessary, stressing that contractors must be paid “to the last kobo.” The directive follows months of protests by indigenous contractors, who claim over N4 trillion in certified arrears for 2024 capital projects alone. The Ministry of Works had earlier verified roughly N1.5 trillion in highway contracts.

In a related development, Works Minister Dave Umahi reaffirmed the government’s policy of prioritising reputable local firms, praising JRB Construction Company Limited during an inspection of the Abuja–Keffi Highway reconstruction. “This is the kind of indigenous company that will grow Nigeria,” he said.