NESREA seals six Ogun recycling facilities over environmental abuse

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Environment, on Thursday sealed six recycling facilities in the Ogijo community of Ogun State.

The action followed the operators’ failure to comply with the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations 2024 and a NESREA-developed protocol designed to ensure the environmentally sound management of used lead-acid batteries, safeguard public health, and protect the environment.

NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, Nwamaka Ejiofor, disclosed in a statement that the six facilities were shut on Thursday, with more enforcement actions expected in the coming days.

The move underscores growing concerns over unsafe recycling practices that release toxic lead and other heavy metals, posing significant risks to residents and the environment.

Ogijo, a key hub for battery recycling, has long been linked to complaints of lead contamination, soil degradation, and air pollution arising from improper waste handling.

According to NESREA, the protocol requires recyclers to manage ULAB slag and base-metal residue safely and responsibly, prioritise staff welfare through annual blood lead testing, and provide adequate personal protective equipment.

Facilities are also mandated to conduct yearly environmental impact audits on surrounding communities, adopt cleaner recycling technologies, and join pilot projects exploring the use of slag in brick and cement production.

NESREA noted that the enforcement followed extensive assessments and sensitisation efforts carried out in partnership with the Ogun State Government and other stakeholders under the Project for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling.

Thursday’s action comes three days after the Federal Government shut two factories in Ogun State for what it described as “grave violations” of Occupational Safety and Health standards.

The affected companies—True Metals Nigeria Limited and Phoenix Steel Mills Limited—are located along the Ikorodu–Sagamu industrial corridor.

According to a statement on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, ordered the closures during an unscheduled inspection tour on Monday.

At True Metals Nigeria Limited, a battery recycling plant, the minister expressed outrage over what she described as hazardous and dehumanising working conditions, noting that workers were exposed to unprotected lead emissions, lacked basic sanitation facilities, and operated without mandatory automation equipment despite previous verbal warnings.

“That you are giving our people jobs does not warrant putting their lives at risk,” she said. “We cannot say we are creating jobs while we are killing our people. There is no price for life. Every Nigerian deserves a safe and dignified working environment.”