Scrap Dealers Strike in Nigeria Over Government Neglect

The National Association of Scraps and Waste Dealers and Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) has condemned the federal government for its insensitivity towards the ongoing strike initiated by scrap dealers. The strike commenced on October 1, 2026, following the government's failure to respond to previous correspondences aimed at averting the strike.

Comrade John Odigie, General Secretary of the Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSSAN), stated that the government's inability to generate raw materials, particularly billet for producing iron rods, has forced steel industries to rely on scrap metal. Odigie warned that the strike would significantly impact both small and large industries dependent on scrap metal, potentially leading to shutdowns.

He also noted that construction companies, which rely heavily on iron and steel, would be adversely affected. The recycling of scrap steel has become crucial for sustaining the Nigerian steel sector, which is struggling despite abundant iron ore deposits.