The Federal Government has shut down three factories in Ogun State over serious safety violations linked to hazardous working conditions and rising cases of worker deaths.
The affected factories—African Refractory and Allied Products, African Non-Ferrous Industries Limited, and Metalworld Recycling Limited—were sealed in the Ogijo industrial area following an inspection by officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who led the inspection, said the action was taken after the companies failed to comply with earlier safety directives issued as far back as December 2025.
According to the ministry, the factories were engaged in manual processing of condemned batteries into lead, exposing workers to dangerous toxic substances without adequate safety controls or protective equipment.
Officials also discovered severe lapses, including excessive industrial dust, poor facility maintenance, and unsafe handling of hazardous materials, with some workers reportedly handling toxic substances with bare hands.
Onyejeocha expressed concern over what she described as a disregard for human life, revealing that multiple deaths had been recorded in some of the facilities, many of which were not officially reported.
“The truth is they don’t care about people’s lives… people are dying and the numbers are increasing,” she said, warning that stricter penalties—including possible licence revocation and legal sanctions—would follow.
Another company, Vedanta Metal Industries Limited, was spared closure after demonstrating compliance by beginning the automation of its operations and addressing safety concerns.
The government also disclosed plans to strengthen occupational safety laws and impose tougher penalties on violators, as part of broader efforts to protect workers and enforce compliance nationwide.
The development highlights growing concerns about industrial safety in Nigeria, with authorities vowing to intensify inspections and clamp down on companies that fail to meet required standards.
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