The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, on Monday ordered the immediate sealing of two factories in Ogun State following the discovery of severe breaches of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards.

The two affected facilities, True Metals Nigeria Limited and Phoenix Steel Mills Limited, are situated along the busy Ikorodu–Sagamu industrial corridor.

Accompanied by the Director of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH),  Florence Owie, and OSH officials from Lagos and Ogun states, Onyejeocha emphasized that the Renewed Hope Agenda will not tolerate employers who deliberately endanger Nigerian workers.

Focus on True Metals: A Dehumanizing Environment

At True Metals Nigeria Limited, a battery recycling plant, the Minister expressed profound alarm at the hazardous and “dehumanising conditions” of the workplace. She specifically noted:
* Unprotected and ongoing exposure to lead emissions.
* Grossly inadequate sanitation facilities.
* A complete absence of necessary safety automation, despite the company receiving repeated verbal warnings in the past.

“That you are giving our people jobs does not warrant putting their lives at risk,” Onyejeocha said.

“We cannot claim to be creating jobs while we are killing our people. There is no price for life. Every Nigerian deserves a safe and dignified working environment.”

She ordered the immediate sealing of the factory, effective until the firm achieves full compliance with all OSH regulations.

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Phoenix Steel Mills: Inaccessible and Non-Compliant

The inspection at Phoenix Steel Mills Limited was halted before it could even begin, as the Minister and her team found the internal access roads to be unsafe and impassable. Further violations included clear instances of stagnant water and a complete lack of adequate drainage—a direct breach of the Factories Act.

“If the internal roads of a factory are not passable for humans, we can only imagine what is inside,” she said. “Such conditions demonstrate a complete disregard for both workers and basic safety standards.”

The facility was subsequently sealed, pending necessary remediation work and a future compliance inspection.

The Minister’s Warning: “That Era Is Over”

Speaking to journalists after the exercise, the Minister delivered a stark warning to all factory owners.

“In many factories, Nigerians are treated as if 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.

Onyejeocha confirmed that enforcement will be rigorous and sustained. “We will not leave them sleeping.

“We will continue the inspections, and if we find you wanting, we will seal your factory. If you do the right thing, you attract more investment. If you don’t, you will not operate.”

She said, by reminding employers that OSH regulations are non-negotiable legal requirements.

“Occupational safety and health has rules. Every worker must be protected. You cannot say the economy is bad and then use that excuse to endanger lives,” the minister said.

“We must never create jobs that take lives. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, every worker matters”.