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The Nigerian Government has sealed two factories in Ogun State for serious violations of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) regulations.
The affected firms, True Metals Nigeria Limited and Phoenix Steel Mills Limited, are situated along the Ikorodu–Sagamu industrial corridor.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said she ordered the shutdown on Monday following an unannounced inspection. She was accompanied by the Director of OSH, Mrs. Florence Owie, and officials from the Lagos and Ogun State OSH departments.
At True Metals, a battery recycling plant, Onyejeocha condemned hazardous working conditions, noting workers were exposed to unprotected lead emissions, lacked proper sanitation, and operated without mandatory automation equipment despite prior verbal warnings. She stressed, “Providing jobs does not justify endangering lives. Every Nigerian deserves a safe and dignified working environment.” The factory was sealed until full compliance is achieved.
At Phoenix Steel Mills, internal roads were unsafe and impassable, while stagnant water and poor drainage violated the Factory Act and reflected disregard for worker safety. The facility was sealed pending remediation and a fresh compliance assessment.
Onyejeocha warned that the ministry would intensify inspections and would not tolerate the dehumanisation of workers. She said factories would face sanctions or closure if they failed to comply, stressing that safety regulations are non-negotiable.
She reaffirmed that all workers, skilled or unskilled, male or female, deserve dignity, fair wages, and humane treatment, emphasising, “We must never create jobs that take lives. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, every worker matters.”
