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The national authorities have ordered the immediate closure of three factories in Ogijo, Ogun State, over alleged violations of occupational safety and health regulations.
The companies affected by the directive are African Refractory and Allied Products Limited, African Non-Ferrous Industries Limited, and Metalworld Recycling Limited.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, announced the decision on Wednesday during an inspection of the facilities alongside officials from the ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health Department.
Onyejeocha said the move followed the companies’ failure to comply with earlier safety directives issued by the ministry.
Onyejeocha expressed concern over reports linking worker deaths to possible exposure to hazardous substances at African Refractory and Allied Products Limited, noting that the company had continued operations despite a prohibition notice.
“We cannot claim to be creating jobs while endangering the lives of workers. There is no price for human life,” she said.
According to the minister, the affected firms had previously been warned and given time to address safety issues identified during earlier inspections, but did not take the necessary corrective steps.
“They were duly notified and cautioned. Our officials had earlier inspected these facilities and outlined the required standards, including proper maintenance of factory premises. However, they failed to comply,” she said.
She stated that the observed conditions at the sites were unsafe, noting that some workers were seen handling potentially harmful materials without adequate protective equipment.
“Workers were seen handling dangerous materials with bare hands. The environment is heavily polluted with dust. These conditions are unacceptable,” she added.
Onyejeocha added that similar issues were observed at African Non-Ferrous Industries Limited and Metalworld Recycling Limited, including poor handling of hazardous substances and failure to follow established safety procedures.
She said the companies had been instructed to remove hazardous materials and improve safety measures, but did not comply.
The minister warned that the government would continue to enforce safety regulations to protect workers and ensure that companies operate within approved standards.
“Safety is not optional; it is a legal requirement. Any company that operates outside approved standards will be sanctioned,” she said.
She also advised companies not to alter their operational processes without proper certification and approval from relevant regulatory authorities.
“Every operation must follow established standards. No operator is allowed to change the nature of their activities without the appropriate approval,” she said.
Onyejeocha also noted that the government is reviewing existing occupational safety regulations to strengthen enforcement and impose stricter penalties for violations.
“If existing sanctions are inadequate, we will strengthen them. There must be consequences for actions that lead to loss of lives,” she said.
