The Nationwide Relationship of Scraps and Waste Dealers and Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) has commenced a 15-day nationwide warning strike over alleged charge manipulation, substandard steel production and other practices by foreign-owned iron-smelting companies operating in Nigeria.
According to him, scrap dealers were suffering huge financial losses as of what he described as arbitrary depreciation in the prices paid for scrap metals by the steel companies.
He alleged that some manufacturers converted 12mm iron rods to reduced sizes, adding that the weight of finished products supplied to customers could be significantly lesser than the quantity of scrap metal purchased from dealers.
He furthermore accused some steel manufacturers of producing substandard iron rods by manipulating the sizes and quantities of products made from scrap metals supplied to them.
Soja disclosed that the Federal Government had already initiated discussions using the fixed by manner of the Executive Secretary of the Statewide Steel Council, Ambassador Abdelkader Fadi.
He linked some of the current price reductions to world geopolitical developments, saying disruptions in international swap had resulted in sizeable quantities of steel-connected materials being purchased cheaply from some countries and imported into Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference, Deputy Statewide President of NASWDEN, Amin Hassan Soja, said the strike would be suspended if the Federal Government and the companies addressed their grievances.
The NASWDEN director continued accused the companies of manipulating weighing scales and deducting within one and five per cent from the weight of scrap supplied to them under what he described as an “added dose” setup.
The NASWDEN director said members across the country had complied together with the directive, claiming that trucks conveying scrap metals had been parked in several locations as the strike took consequence.
He said the category had presented its grievances in writing and was awaiting additional phase from the applicable ministry.
Soja additionally raised concerns over the establishment of dump sites by foreign companies, alleging that the approach was driving indigenous scrap dealers out of enterprise given that they could not compete including the companies on value.
He stressed that the industrial activity was peaceful and that members had not engaged in any activity skilled of disrupting society sequence.
He warned that the action could become indefinite if no reconciliation was reached before the terminate of the 15-day warning period.
According to him, the scrap advertise employs millions of Nigerians, particularly youths, and should be formally incorporated into the Nigerian economy.
The assistance said the strike, which began on Thursday, October 1, 2026, involved a complete cut-off of scrap metal supplies to the affected companies.
The government should moreover deliver intervention resources to scrap traders so that indigenous Nigerians can establish companies equivalent to those being accepted by foreign investors,” he said.
“We desire the Federal Government to come in and formalise the sector and collaborate including us.
He called for Federal Government intervention, arguing that foreign steel companies should focus on manufacturing rather than directly competing including community scrap dealers for the collection and furnish of scrap.
Soja said dealers could lose in the midst of N3 million and N4 million on a individual truckload as a outcome of the frequent reduction in prices.
The relationship urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the dispute, regulate the operations of steel manufacturers and safeguard the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians involved in the scrap and waste trade.
Scrap dealers launch 15-day nationwide strike over steel companies’ practices
Source: Scrap dealers begin 15-day nationwide strike over steel companies’ practices
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