Following more than two years of persistent protests, petitions and unsuccessful appeals, the prolonged payment dispute between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Association of Indigenous Contractors of the FCT appears to be nearing a resolution.
The contractors have consistently alleged that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) owes them over ₦5.2 billion for public welfare projects carried out across the territory. They maintained that despite numerous letters addressed to the FCT Minister and other relevant authorities, their requests went unanswered, leaving them with no option but to engage in peaceful demonstrations, media advocacy and petitions to the National Assembly.
During these protests, the contractors were reportedly dispersed on several occasions with tear gas by security operatives and were also summoned for questioning by the Department of State Services (DSS), yet the outstanding payments remained unresolved.
A breakthrough, however, emerged on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, during another protest at the main gate of the FCTA Secretariat along Kapital Road, Area 11, Garki, Abuja. The Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Iya, was said to have invited representatives of the protesters into the Minister’s Office complex for an emergency discussion.
Sources disclosed that the minister requested the contractors to nominate a four-member delegation for the meeting, scheduled for about 3:00pm. The contractors complied, attending the meeting under the leadership of their chairman, Benson Ehuwa.
In a move seen as underscoring the seriousness of the talks, the FCTA Permanent Secretary overseeing Treasury and Budget, Adamu Ibrahim Wanki, was also called into the meeting.
According to insiders, the contractors were informed that Wike, who initiated the engagement, had agreed to settle all verified contracts executed from 2023—when he assumed office as FCT Minister—to date. They were subsequently instructed to submit their outstanding bills for processing, which they reportedly did immediately.
Those present at the meeting described the discussions as open and cordial, with both parties agreeing to meet again in the coming days to finalize the payment arrangements.
Meanwhile, outside the FCTA Secretariat, news of the development spread rapidly among the protesting contractors, sparking celebrations tempered with cautious optimism, as many said they would only be fully convinced once the funds reflect in their bank accounts.
