Aisha Yesufu Calls for Law to End Using Contractors as Bankers

Socio‑political activist Aisha Yesufu has called for a new law that would require every level of government in Nigeria to pay contractors within 30 days of project completion or service delivery.

The proposal was shared on Yesufu’s official social media page, where she noted that delayed payments to contractors continue to hurt businesses, slow infrastructure development, and reduce job creation across the country.

Yesufu suggested that any payment overdue beyond 30 days should incur mandatory interest calculated at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria Monetary Policy Rate plus an additional five percent.

“There is a need for a strong, enforceable law to be enacted that compels every tier of government to pay contractors all due invoices within 30 days, with mandatory interest on any delayed payment,” she stated.

She argued that many contractors finish projects only to experience prolonged delays in receiving payment, a situation that has pushed several businesses into financial distress.

“Contractors will deliver on their work only for governments to delay payments for months or years, pushing many businesses into distress and liquidation,” Yesufu said.

According to her, the proposed law would discourage the practice of treating contractors as a source of unofficial credit for government projects.

“No more using contractors as unwilling bankers,” she added.

The activist further maintained that delayed payments to contractors remain a major challenge to economic growth, infrastructure delivery and employment generation in Nigeria.