Senate questions accountant-general over unpaid contractors, poor capital budget releases
Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) on Thursday raised concerns over persistent complaints from contractors over unpaid executed projects, as the Senate Committee on Finance subjected the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, to intense questioning during his 2026 budget defence.
According to a report by The Cable newspaper, Goje said the National Assembly had been inundated with appeals from contractors seeking intervention over non-payment, describing the situation as embarrassing for the legislature.
“Here at the National Assembly, we have never seen contractors bombarding us on a weekly basis for intervention on non-payment of executed contracts,” he said.
He challenged the government’s revenue claims, noting that the removal of fuel subsidy and the harmonisation of the foreign exchange market were expected to increase available funds.
“The impression given to us and Nigerians by the government is that with the removal of the subsidy and the harmonisation of the forex market, there will be more revenue. Where is the money now? Why are contractors owed? And why was there zero allocation for capital votes for most MDAs in 2025?” he asked.
In response, Ogunjimi said the accumulation of unpaid obligations was largely due to indiscriminate contract awards by some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) without confirmed funding.
“As the Accountant-General of the Federation, my office is expected to disburse funds to relevant agencies at the appropriate time, but that can only be done if the funds are available. I must have the funds before I can disburse,” he said.
He added that a directive has been issued prohibiting MDAs from awarding contracts without secured funding. The Accountant-General appeared before the committee, chaired by Senator Sani Musa (Niger East), to defend his office’s 2026 budget proposal.
