Tension gripped parts of Abuja on Monday after a group of aggrieved contractors reportedly barricaded access and locked out the Minister of Finance during a protest over unpaid contractual obligations. The dramatic scene, which quickly drew attention from security operatives and passersby, has sparked renewed conversations around government debt to contractors and accountability in public spending.

According to our reporters, the contractors accused the ministry of prolonged delays in settling certified payments despite repeated assurances. Eyewitnesses said the protesters chanted solidarity songs and displayed placards demanding immediate intervention, temporarily disrupting official activities in the area.

Daily Trust further reports that the contractors claimed the delays have crippled their businesses and left many workers unpaid, warning that more protests could follow if their grievances are not addressed. As of the time of filing this report, the Ministry of Finance had not issued an official statement on the incident.

The development adds to growing public scrutiny of fiscal management and the federal government’s relationship with private contractors, especially amid Nigeria’s current economic pressures.