Scrap Dealers Begin 15 Day Warning Strike Over Pricing Dispute

The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers and Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) has commenced a 15 day nationwide warning strike over a dispute concerning scrap metal prices and alleged practices by foreign owned steel companies.

The industrial action began on Thursday, October 1, 2026, with the association directing members to stop supplying scrap metals to affected steel companies.

Deputy National President of NASWDEN, Amin Hassan Soja, said the association took the decision following what it described as arbitrary reductions in the prices paid for scrap metals by some steel manufacturers.

He said the frequent price reductions were causing significant financial losses for scrap dealers, with some traders allegedly losing between N3 million and N4 million on a single truckload.

Soja also accused some steel manufacturers of manipulating weighing scales and deducting between one and five per cent from the weight of scrap supplied by dealers.

He further alleged that some manufacturers were producing substandard iron rods by manipulating the sizes and quantities of products made from scrap metals.

According to him, the association was also concerned about foreign owned steel companies establishing dump sites and competing directly with indigenous scrap dealers for materials.

Soja called on the Federal Government to intervene in the dispute, regulate the operations of steel manufacturers and support the formalisation of Nigeria’s scrap and waste sector.

He said the government should encourage foreign companies to focus on manufacturing while creating opportunities for indigenous operators involved in the collection and supply of scrap metals.

The association also appealed for intervention funds to enable Nigerian scrap traders to establish and expand businesses within the sector.

Soja said the scrap and waste trade provides livelihoods for millions of Nigerians, particularly young people, and should therefore receive greater government attention.

He disclosed that the Federal Government had begun discussions with the association through the Executive Secretary of the National Steel Council, Ambassador Abdelkader Fadi.

According to him, NASWDEN had submitted its grievances in writing and was awaiting further action from the relevant authorities.

The association said the warning strike would last 15 days but could become indefinite if no agreement was reached with the government and affected steel companies.

NASWDEN said its members nationwide had complied with the directive, with trucks carrying scrap metals parked at various locations as the strike commenced.

The association urged the Federal Government to urgently resolve the dispute and establish measures to ensure fair pricing and sustainable operations within the scrap metal industry.