The Nigerian government has ordered the immediate shutdown of African Refractory and Allied Products Company (ARAP) in Ogijo

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of African Refractory and Allied Products Company (ARAP) in Ogijo, Ogun State, citing unsafe working conditions that pose serious health risks to employees.

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The directive came from the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, following an inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Initial findings revealed workers were exposed to silica dust, a hazardous substance linked to serious occupational diseases. The inspection also identified regulatory compliance issues, including irregularities in the company’s operational licence and discrepancies between declared activities and actual production operations.

In response, the ministry issued a Prohibition Notice, halting operations until a full investigation is completed. Onyejeocha emphasized that protecting the health and safety of workers remains a top priority, warning that breaches of workplace safety regulations would not be tolerated.

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A joint inspection and investigative team has been constituted to assess the company’s compliance with occupational safety standards, and further directives are expected after the review.