FG seals two factories in Ogun

The Federal Government has shut down two factories in Ogun State for severe breaches of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards.

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, ordered the immediate closure of True Metals Nigeria Limited and Phoenix Steel Mills Limited during an inspection along the Ikorodu–Sagamu industrial corridor.

At True Metals, a battery recycling plant, the Minister expressed shock at what she described as hazardous and dehumanising working conditions.

Workers were found to be exposed to lead emissions without protection, sanitation facilities were extremely poor, and the company had repeatedly ignored warnings to install required safety systems.

Onyejeocha said no employer has the right to endanger lives under the guise of providing jobs and directed that the facility remain sealed until full compliance is achieved.

The visit to Phoenix Steel Mills did not advance beyond the entrance, as the internal roads were unsafe and flooded, with stagnant water and no functional drainage.

The Minister said such conditions reflect a total disregard for worker safety, leading to the immediate sealing of the factory pending remediation.

Speaking after the operation, Onyejeocha criticised factories that subject Nigerian workers to dangerous environments while paying them meagre wages.

She warned that the era of exploiting labour under unsafe conditions is over and stressed that enforcement will be continuous and uncompromising.

According to her, occupational safety is a legal duty that cannot be waived due to economic hardship, and the Renewed Hope Agenda will prioritise the protection of every worker.