Sallah Approaches: Contractors and Workers Await Payment

With Sallah just three days away, many Nigerians are filled with anxiety rather than joy. Local contractors, civil servants, and uniformed personnel are still awaiting their salaries and payments. For numerous families, this delay is transforming what should be a festive time into a period of struggle.

According to sources from federal government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), expected wages and contract payments for the festival remain unpaid. Many workers are uncertain about how they will provide for their families, feed their children, or enjoy the holiday with dignity.

On April 28, local contractors took to the streets to demand urgent action. Our recent reports highlighted that these contractors, who have been working on significant government projects since November 2024, have not received payment for months. The Accountability and Policy Monitoring Group (APMG) corroborated that these contractors are still waiting for their funds. Their desperation was evident as they appealed to the Federal Government for help, yet more than a month later, there has been no response. No payments have been made, and the relevant ministries have remained silent.

Uniformed personnel are facing similar issues. Reports indicate that salaries for civil servants and uniformed officers have been delayed, leaving many unable to express their concerns publicly due to their position. However, the struggle they face is tangible, and their families are suffering.

A serving Brigadier General, speaking anonymously, remarked, “They continue to show up for duty, but some can’t even buy food. It’s humiliating.” He emphasized that the president should not assume that all is well with the military personnel.

In Kano State, the government has announced an 11-day holiday for Sallah. But for those who haven’t been paid, what does a holiday mean? Contractors with children at home and police officers with ailing parents are left wondering how to provide for their families or afford even a small ram for the festivities.

Traders in the markets are also feeling the impact, with ram sellers reporting poor sales as buyers lack the funds to make purchases. “We’ve never experienced anything this severe,” a ram seller in Kaduna stated. “Customers are just bargaining; no one is buying.”

Many people are drawing comparisons to previous years. During President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, salaries were typically disbursed before major holidays like Sallah. Though not perfect, workers had some financial relief. This year, amidst what many are calling the grandest Sallah celebration, there is nothing available.

Nigerians are now directing blame towards the Ministry of Finance and the Accountant General’s office for the delays, suggesting that this situation could undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. While the President speaks of transformation and advancement, the populace experiences pain and neglect. Promises abound, yet pockets remain empty.

“This isn’t merely a delay; it’s a profound disrespect,” stated a civil servant. “It’s about more than money; it’s about acknowledging workers, their contributions, and their dignity as human beings.”

Across the nation, citizens are asking pressing questions:

Why haven’t the payments been made?

Who is accountable for the delay?

Why are diligent Nigerians forced to endure this in silence?

Supporters of the President are urging him to take action now, asserting that the Ministry of Finance and the Accountant General’s office must clarify the payment hold-ups, as this silence breeds distrust. It undermines the hopeful message the President aims to convey.

President Tinubu is recognized for his assertiveness and responsiveness; now is his chance to demonstrate that leadership once more. This situation transcends policy—it’s about the real lives, families, and urgent needs of the citizens.

The people are not expressing anger out of despair; they are raising their voices because they still have faith. Yet their faith is wavering, and their patience is running thin. They have supported this government, endured challenging reforms, and held onto hope. Now, they feel exhausted and financially depleted with Sallah imminent.

There is still a chance to address these issues, but time is running short.