Reps Public Procurement Committee Issues Final Demand to AGF Over N3.1 Trillion Contractor Debt

The House of Representatives has intensified its efforts to resolve the lingering crisis of unpaid government contracts, with the Committee on Public Procurement issuing a stern directive to the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Shamsudeen Ogunjimi, demanding the immediate settlement of outstanding liabilities owed to Federal Government contractors.

The Chairman of the Committee, Unyime Idem, gave the charge during a meeting with the AGF in Abuja on Friday, October 24, 2025. This move follows a protest staged by the Association of Indigenous Contractors of Nigeria in September, which drew public attention to their plight and prompted a legislative intervention by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.

The government, through the Office of the AGF, had previously disclosed that an estimated N2.4 trillion had been disbursed to various contractors. However, lawmakers expressed skepticism, noting that many contractors were still reporting non-payment. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu had earlier demanded a comprehensive breakdown of the payments, stressing that a total commitment of N3.1 trillion (including a recent N760 billion approval) must translate into visible projects and clear records.

The latest demand by the Public Procurement Committee signals the legislature’s determination to hold the executive arm accountable for its financial obligations. The Representatives are insistent that the prompt payment of contractors is critical to revitalizing indigenous businesses and preventing the abandonment of crucial projects across the country.