Nigeria quantity surveyors warn Tinubu over construction payment delays
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Leadership
Illustrative image · Mukhtar Shuaib Mukhtar · Pexels · Licence PexelsThe Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) warns that delayed payments to public works contractors could trigger a wave of construction-sector bankruptcies. Its president, Aminu Muhammad Bashir, called on President Bola Tinubu to examine contractors’ situation at a press conference in Abuja.
The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, NIQS, has asked President Bola Tinubu to intervene over persistent delays in payments to construction companies handling public projects, saying they could trigger bankruptcies in the sector. Its president, Aminu Muhammad Bashir, made the appeal on Wednesday 11 November in Abuja, at a press conference held ahead of the institute’s 2026 National Conference and Annual General Meeting, according to Leadership.
Aminu Muhammad Bashir said the companies concerned were struggling to pay their suppliers, subcontractors and employees because of amounts owed by public authorities for completed and certified works. He said companies carrying out federal government projects had been asked to submit their claims to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
The NIQS president also cited the use of the 2025 budget in November 2026 among the factors worsening companies’ financial difficulties. He added that, for some contractors, accumulated interest on unpaid payment certificates had significantly reduced the economic value of the claims.
Bashir called for capital expenditure to be linked to resources actually available in order to prevent the creation of contractual obligations that public authorities cannot honour. He called for the rapid release of approved capital funds, according to Leadership.
