The federal government, on Wednesday, March 18, ordered the immediate closure of three factories in Ogijo, Ogun State, over what it described as serious safety violations posing risks to human lives.
The minister of state for labour and employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, gave the directive during an Occupational Safety and Health inspection.
The affected companies are African Refractory and Allied Products, African Non-Ferrous Industries Ltd., and Metalworld Recycling Ltd., all located within the Ogijo industrial area.
According to the minister, the firms had earlier been issued formal notices dated December 9, 2025, outlining breaches of mandatory safety standards, including failure to conduct hazard training and provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for workers.
She said the companies failed to respond to the notices or take corrective action.
“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,” Onyejeocha said.
She added that the continued disregard for safety protocols had been linked to multiple fatalities, with several incidents allegedly going unreported.
Onyejeocha stated that the affected factories would face sanctions in line with existing labour and safety regulations, noting that the ministry had made repeated efforts to engage the operators before enforcing the closure.
She emphasised that industrial operators must prioritise safety, warning that negligence that endangers lives will not be tolerated.
The minister also reiterated that factories intending to change production processes or upgrade operations must obtain the necessary approvals and certifications from relevant authorities.
She stressed that compliance with safety standards remains non-negotiable, adding that economic activities must not come at the expense of human lives.
Meanwhile, Vedanta Metal Industries Ltd., another company in the area, was directed to improve its housekeeping practices but was not shut down.
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