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Finally, the Federal Government said it has disbursed ₦152 billion to contractors of verified contracts.

The payment, the Federal Government, said followed established verification procedures designed to safeguard public funds and maintain accountability in government spending.

In a statement on Thursday, the Federal Ministry of Finance said the payment process is guided by existing laws and regulations to ensure transparency and protect taxpayers’ money.

“The process of payment for contracts goes through various verification processes in line with extant laws and regulations, to protect taxpayers’ money and ensure accountability and transparency,” the ministry said.

While acknowledging the financial pressure delays have placed on contractors, the ministry appealed for continued engagement as a pathway to resolving outstanding issues.

“We also plead for continuous dialogue and engagement for effective resolution of all conflicts,” the statement added.

The ministry assured contractors of its willingness to maintain open communication, urging them to respect the procedures and staff involved in handling payment requests.

“We assure all contractors of our continuous support and openness to constructive dialogue and urge all contractors to respect the process and the personnel of the Federal Ministry of Finance, who have had to endure different levels of intimidation and harassment,” it said.

It further stated that all outstanding payment requests would continue to be processed in line with due process and handled “in a timely and consistent manner.”

As part of broader efforts to address the contractors plight and restore confidence among local firms, the Federal Government has proposed setting aside ₦1.8 trillion in the 2026 budget to clear outstanding payments for capital projects executed under the 2024 fiscal year.

Of this amount, ₦100 billion has been allocated specifically for indigenous contractors, many of whom have raised concerns over prolonged delays and worsening financial conditions.

The proposed budgetary provision follows recent protests by members of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), who returned to the streets to draw attention to mounting debts and liquidity challenges within the sector.AICAN President, Mr Jackson Nwosu, said the protests were driven by what he described as growing desperation among contractors facing loan defaults and the risk of losing personal assets after borrowing to carry out government projects.

“The government has failed to honour the agreement to pay contractors whose project details had been submitted and verified. Payments finalised before the closure of the payment portal at the end of December never reflected in our accounts,” he said.

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The French football legend Thierry Henry has openly criticised the quality of officiating at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), saying the referees handling matches at the tournament are not operating at the level expected of such a major competition.

The former Arsenal star made the comments after the controversial final between Morocco and Senegal, a match that ended amid heated protests and nearly saw Senegalese players walk off the pitch over disputed officiating decisions.

Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, Henry said several of the controversies witnessed at AFCON were the result of poor officiating, stressing that referees were not adequately prepared for the intensity and quality of football on display.

“The referees are not at the level of the show,” Henry said. “A lot of what happens in these tournaments comes from referee mistakes. I’m not blaming the referees themselves, but those responsible for training and preparing them to match the standard of the football we are watching.”

The final was overshadowed by major incidents, including a disallowed goal for Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr and a late penalty awarded to Morocco’s Brahim Díaz, both of which sparked outrage from the Senegalese camp.

While Henry said he understood Senegal’s frustration, he strongly condemned the team’s attempt to abandon the match, describing it as unacceptable.

“Trying to leave the field was wrong. That’s not the image you want to give, not for African football and not for football anywhere in the world,” he said.

Reflecting on his long-standing admiration for the tournament, Henry revealed that his love for AFCON began in 1988 when Morocco hosted the competition and Cameroon defeated Nigeria 1–0 in the final.

He described AFCON as a platform that has consistently showcased world-class talent, noting that African greats such as Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o and Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha first made their mark on the global stage through the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, as investigations into the incidents surrounding the final continue.

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Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other predominantly Muslim countries have announced they had accepted U.S. President Donald Trump’s invitation to join the so-called Gaza Board of Peace.

The Foreign Ministers of the two countries, as well as those of Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates announced in a statement that their countries shared decision to join the Board of Peace.

The United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Pakistan had previously announced their participation separately.

The ministers reaffirmed “their countries’ commitment to supporting the implementation of the mission of the Board of Peace as a transitional administration in the Gaza Strip.

“The mission is set out in the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict and it is endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803,” they said.

A total of 60 countries have received invitations to the Board of Peace, which is part of the second phase of Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, which has been largely destroyed by the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas.

Some European countries, including Germany and France, have been largely cautious so far.

Diplomats who have seen the board’s charter said it is an undisguised challenge to the United Nations, which Trump has repeatedly criticised as dysfunctional.

There are indications that the U.S. government wants to greatly expand the board’s mandate to address crises and conflicts worldwide, not just Gaza. (dpa/NAN)