Ogun: Regulators seal off 3 industries over hazardous conditions, rising deaths

*The Federal Government of Nigeria shuts the three affected industries after inspections indicated serious violations of occupational safety standards that exposed workers and host communities to hazardous lead-related conditions

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to the affected companies’ failure to evacuate hazardous materials causing deaths in host communities, the Federal Government of Nigeria Wednesday, March 18, 2026, shut three factories in Ogijo area of Ogun State, South-West region.

ConsumerConnect reports the government moved against the companies after inspections indicated serious violations of occupational safety standards that exposed workers to hazardous lead-related conditions.

The affected firms are African Refractory and Allied Products, African Non-Ferrous Industries Limited, and Metalworld Recycling Limited.

The government enforcement officials, however, spared Vedanta Metal Industries Limited after complying with earlier directives.

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Employment, reportedly led the Occupational Safety and Health during the inspection, explained that the action followed the companies’ failure to comply with a 90-day notice earlier issued December 9 last year.

Onyejeocha said: “We gave them notification and caution.

“Our ministry staff had earlier inspected and told them clearly that what they were doing was wrong.

“Since December 9, they were asked to evacuate hazardous materials, but they did nothing.”

The Minister, describing the unsafe conditions, stated: “Workers were using bare hands to handle materials. They didn’t even want us to see what was going on inside.

“These things are not supposed to be kept like this. We are practically swimming in dust here.”

She also lamented the companies’ apparent disregard for human life.

Onyejeocha noted: “The truth is they don’t care about people’s lives. People are dying and the numbers are increasing daily, many unaccounted for. Some deaths never get reported.”

The Minister equally referenced some cases of over 30 deaths in a few months in a facility, over 20 in another, and a recent report of a young boy who died over a similar reason.

Regulatory penalties for erring companies

In regard to sanctions against the companies found wanting, Onyejeocha warned that stiffer penalties would follow thereafter.

She asserted: “All these actions come with sanctions under the law.

“Going forward, there will be consequences. When people lose their lives, such factories risk losing their licences. Nothing short of that.”

The Minister, therefore, asserted that companies must obtain proper approvals before changing operations in Nigeria

She stated: “You don’t just wake up and switch from lead to aluminium. You must apply, be inspected, and certified.

“There are standards and manuals guiding every process.”

Alleged overlap between Federal, state regulations

As regards alleged conflict between Federal and state regulators, the Minister clarified that “there is no conflict.”

Onyejeocha averred: “We must complement each other, but where there are infractions, we will act.

“No authority can override safety enforcement.”

She as well disclosed that the government is reviewing the Occupational Safety and Health bill to strengthen penalties.

The Minister said: “If existing sanctions are not commensurate with the offences, we will increase them.

“We cannot continue like this. No country grows by neglecting safety. Life is important, and health is wealth.”

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