A coalition of civil society organisations has called on the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Accountant General of the Federation, Shamsudeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, to begin immediate release of funds under Nigeria’s 2025 capital budget, warning that continued delays could deepen economic hardship and undermine public trust.

The Coalition for Equity in Public Contracts (CEPC) said in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday that indigenous contractors, many of whom had borrowed heavily to execute government projects, were being left in financial limbo. “Words must now translate into action,” the group’s convener, Salisu Garba, said. “Contractors and their employees can no longer endure endless waiting while officials trade blame.”

The coalition welcomed a recent intervention by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who helped broker a resolution between the Finance Ministry and the Office of the Accountant General over delayed payments. However, CEPC emphasised that commitments must be honoured through tangible budgetary disbursements.

Garba argued that indigenous contractors play a critical role in infrastructure delivery and job creation. He accused the government of selective application of budgetary provisions, noting that projects captured under the Appropriation Act were being stalled while off-budget spending continued.

“What we see today is a dangerous pattern where contractors with lawful claims are ignored even as other expenditures outside the budget are prioritised. This amounts to executive indiscipline,” he said.

The coalition also warned of broader economic consequences. Delayed payments, it said, were already prompting banks to tighten credit to local firms, creating a ripple effect that could restrict lending, reduce project completion rates, and slow economic growth.

“Government delays payments, contractors default on loans, banks cut lending, and the economy contracts further. Nigeria cannot afford such a spiral,” Garba added.

CEPC called on President Bola Tinubu to reinforce his pledge of fiscal discipline by ensuring that Edun and Ogunjimi act swiftly.

“A government that cannot honour its contracts cannot expect to win trust either from citizens or investors,” Garba said. “We are watching closely, and we will hold both the Finance Ministry and the National Assembly to their word.”

The coalition’s statement highlights mounting pressure on federal authorities to translate budgetary commitments into timely payments, underscoring the link between fiscal discipline, infrastructure delivery, and economic stability.