Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, on Monday shut down two factories in Ogun State over what she described as “hazardous, dehumanising and completely unacceptable” violations of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards.
The affected companies — True Metals Nigeria Limited, a battery-recycling plant, and Phoenix Steel Mills Limited — are both situated along the Ikorodu–Sagamu industrial corridor.
After a routine OSH inspection, Onyejeocha said the Renewed Hope Agenda would not allow employers to put workers’ lives at risk in the pursuit of profit.
“Many of these factories care only about making money, regardless of whose health is damaged, and you can see the results,” she told journalists. “We cannot claim to be creating jobs while endangering our people. Life has no substitute.”
At True Metals, the minister expressed shock at the unsafe practices she observed, including workers’ direct exposure to lead emissions, a lack of automation, and poor hygiene. She noted that the company had received repeated warnings and training from government officials but failed to make any improvements.
“What I saw today shows that none of our earlier instructions were implemented,” she said. “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, automation is non-negotiable. You cannot still be opening batteries with bare hands, inhaling toxic fumes, and pretending nothing is wrong. Most of them only wear masks when government officials are on the way.”
She ordered the plant sealed until it fully complies with safety regulations. “Giving people jobs does not give you the right to endanger their lives,” she added. “No factory should operate under such conditions.”
The minister and her team, including Director of Occupational Safety and Health, Florence Owie, were unable to conduct a proper inspection at Phoenix Steel Mills because the internal roads were unsafe and impassable. She also noted stagnant water and the absence of drainage, calling it “a clear violation of the Factory Act.” The facility was also sealed pending corrective action.
‘Workers are treated like they are not human beings’
Onyejeocha condemned the widespread exploitation of factory workers nationwide and warned that the Ministry will increase enforcement efforts.
“In many factories, Nigerians are treated as though they are not human,” she said. “You hire workers, pay them ₦3,000 or ₦4,000 a day, and expose them to danger. That era is over.”
“We will continue our inspections, and any factory found violating safety standards will be sealed,” she added.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, on Monday shut down two factories in Ogun State over what she described as “hazardous, dehumanising and completely unacceptable” violations of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards.
The affected companies — True Metals Nigeria Limited, a battery-recycling plant, and Phoenix Steel Mills Limited — are both situated along the Ikorodu–Sagamu industrial corridor.
After a routine OSH inspection, Onyejeocha said the Renewed Hope Agenda would not allow employers to put workers’ lives at risk in the pursuit of profit.
“Many of these factories care only about making money, regardless of whose health is damaged, and you can see the results,” she told journalists. “We cannot claim to be creating jobs while endangering our people. Life has no substitute.”
At True Metals, the minister expressed shock at the unsafe practices she observed, including workers’ direct exposure to lead emissions, a lack of automation, and poor hygiene. She noted that the company had received repeated warnings and training from government officials but failed to make any improvements.
“What I saw today shows that none of our earlier instructions were implemented,” she said. “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, automation is non-negotiable. You cannot still be opening batteries with bare hands, inhaling toxic fumes, and pretending nothing is wrong. Most of them only wear masks when government officials are on the way.”
She ordered the plant sealed until it fully complies with safety regulations. “Giving people jobs does not give you the right to endanger their lives,” she added. “No factory should operate under such conditions.”
The minister and her team, including Director of Occupational Safety and Health, Florence Owie, were unable to conduct a proper inspection at Phoenix Steel Mills because the internal roads were unsafe and impassable. She also noted stagnant water and the absence of drainage, calling it “a clear violation of the Factory Act.” The facility was also sealed pending corrective action.
‘Workers are treated like they are not human beings’
Onyejeocha condemned the widespread exploitation of factory workers nationwide and warned that the Ministry will increase enforcement efforts.
ICYMI
“In many factories, Nigerians are treated as though they are not human,” she said. “You hire workers, pay them ₦3,000 or ₦4,000 a day, and expose them to danger. That era is over.”
“We will continue our inspections, and any factory found violating safety standards will be sealed,” she added.
