The Federal Government has sealed two factories in Ogun State over what it described as severe breaches of Occupational Safety and Health regulations.
The affected companies — True Metals Nigeria Limited and Phoenix Steel Mills Limited — both located along the Ikorodu–Sagamu industrial corridor, were shut on Monday during an unscheduled inspection led by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
A statement issued on Tuesday confirmed that the minister was accompanied by the Director of Occupational Safety and Health, Florence Owie, alongside officials from the Lagos and Ogun State OSH departments.
Onyejeocha said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu would not allow employers to endanger Nigerian workers in the name of providing jobs.
“That you are giving our people jobs does not warrant putting their lives at risk,” she said. “We cannot say we are creating jobs while we are killing our people. Every Nigerian deserves a safe and dignified working environment.”
At True Metals Nigeria Limited, a battery recycling factory, the minister expressed shock over what she described as “hazardous and dehumanising” working conditions.
She noted that workers were exposed to unprotected lead emissions, lacked proper sanitation, and operated without compulsory safety equipment — despite earlier verbal warnings.
The facility was immediately shut down pending full compliance with OSH standards.
At Phoenix Steel Mills Limited, Onyejeocha said she could not proceed into the main production area because the internal roads were unsafe and impassable.
She observed stagnant water and poor drainage, conditions she noted amounted to a breach of the Factory Act.
“If the internal roads of a factory are not passable for humans, we can imagine what is inside,” she said. “Such conditions show total disregard for workers and basic safety standards.”
The steel plant was also sealed pending remediation and a new compliance assessment.
Speaking with journalists after the enforcement exercise, Onyejeocha warned that the ministry would continue strict monitoring of factories nationwide.
“In many factories, Nigerians are treated like they are not human beings. You take workers, pay them ₦3,000 or ₦4,000 a day, and expose them to danger. That era is over,” she said.
She added that while the government encourages investment, non-compliance with safety laws will not be tolerated.
“If you do the right thing, you attract more investment. If you don’t, you will not operate,” she stated.
“Occupational safety and health has rules. You cannot say the economy is bad and then use that excuse to endanger lives.”
Onyejeocha reaffirmed that all categories of workers — skilled or unskilled, men or women — deserve dignity, fair pay and humane working conditions.
“We must never create jobs that take lives. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, every worker matters,” she said.
