A civic group has sharply criticised the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation over the prolonged non-payment of verified government contractors, warning of dire consequences for Nigeria’s economy.

In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, the Centre for Economic Justice and Social Equity (CEJSE) accused the two government institutions of gross negligence and administrative failure, saying their inaction is crippling small businesses, worsening unemployment, and eroding public confidence in state institutions.

Dr Ibrahim Okehi Omeiza, President of CEJSE, described the persistent delays as a “silent but deadly virus spreading through the Nigerian economy,” and called for urgent intervention to prevent further economic deterioration.

“Contractors are the lifeblood of national development,” Omeiza said. “When they are owed for months and even years after completing projects, the fallout is devastating—layoffs, defaults on loans, and the collapse of local economies.”

He said many contractors had taken high-interest loans to fund government-approved projects, only to be denied payment despite receiving proper certification of completion. This, he added, amounts to economic injustice on a national scale.

“It is unconscionable that contractors, after fulfilling legally binding agreements, are made to roam government offices in search of what is rightfully theirs,” Omeiza stated. “This goes beyond fiscal mismanagement—it is a moral failure.”

According to CEJSE, some contractors have waited up to 18 months without receiving a single payment, despite numerous follow-ups and documented approvals. The group expressed concern that funds already allocated in the national budget are either being withheld or diverted, with no public accountability.

While acknowledging the nation’s fiscal constraints, the organisation insisted that verified payments must not be caught in bureaucratic bottlenecks or lost to mismanagement.

“When money has been budgeted, projects awarded and completed, the next logical step is payment. Any deviation from that sequence suggests incompetence or corruption—or both,” the statement read.

CEJSE warned that continued inaction would discourage future investments and undermine trust between the government and private sector contractors.

“No investor—local or international—wants to operate in an environment where payment is uncertain, rules change arbitrarily, and due process is ignored. This is unjust and unsustainable.”

The group further hinted at possible legal action should the issue remain unresolved, stating that it would not hesitate to mobilise civic and legal pressure to defend affected businesses.

“This administration has one last opportunity to act decisively. Should the Finance Minister and the Accountant-General fail to explain the delays or take immediate corrective steps, we will take this matter both to the courts and to the court of public opinion.”

CEJSE concluded by demanding the immediate release of outstanding payments to all contractors who have completed certified government projects, a public audit of all delayed cases, and reforms to ensure timely processing of contractor payments across ministries and agencies.