FG shuts Ogun factories over safety breaches, alleged fatalities

The Federal Government has sealed three factories in Ogijo over serious safety violations and risks to workers’ lives.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, ordered the shutdown during an Occupational Safety and Health inspection exercise, citing the companies’ failure to comply with earlier safety directives.

The affected firms—African Refractory and Allied Products, African Non-Ferrous Industries Ltd., and Metalworld Recycling Ltd.—were accused of breaching mandatory safety standards, including failure to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and conduct hazard training for workers.

According to Onyejeocha, the companies had been issued formal notices as far back as December 2025 but failed to respond or implement corrective measures.

“The factories did not comply with the directives issued. There was no response to the notice and no effort made to address the identified risks,” she said.

The minister added that continued negligence had been linked to multiple fatalities, with some incidents allegedly going unreported.

She warned that the affected firms would face sanctions in line with existing labour laws.

Onyejeocha stressed that industrial operators must prioritise safety, noting that economic activities must not come at the expense of human lives.

She also reiterated that companies planning operational changes must obtain proper regulatory approvals.

Meanwhile, another firm, Vedanta Metal Industries Ltd., was directed to improve its safety and housekeeping practices but was not shut down.

The development follows earlier enforcement actions by regulators, including crackdowns by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), as authorities intensify efforts to enforce compliance and protect workers across Nigeria’s industrial sector.