The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) has announced plans to embark on a 15-day nationwide strike with effect from today over alleged unfair practices by companies buying and processing scrap materials.
The association, in a notice, signed jointly signed by its National President, Fatai Adisa Ogunwale and National Seceretary General, Stephen Isobomuwa Obayuwana, said the strike would commence on October 1 and end on October 15, 2026, across the 36 states of the federation.
NASWDEN said the decision followed persistent complaints by its members over what it described as arbitrary price reductions, deductions and inaccurate weighing of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap materials by smelting companies.
According to the association, the alleged practices had resulted in significant financial losses for its members, with some transactions becoming unprofitable.
The notice, addressed to the Registrar of Trade Unions at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, said previous efforts to resolve the matter through dialogue had failed to produce a satisfactory outcome.
‘As a registered trade union, and in accordance with the provisions of the Trade Union Act, our association has resolved to prohibit the supply of scrap materials to all smelting companies nationwide during the strike period,’ NASWDEN said.
The association directed its members to suspend the supply of scrap materials to smelting companies during the period of the industrial action.
It, however, said its officials and task force would ensure that the strike was conducted peacefully and lawfully, stressing that there would be no breakdown of law and order.
NASWDEN called on the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to intervene in the dispute involving the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and companies that receive ferrous and non-ferrous scrap and waste materials.
The association also urged the affected companies to comply with provisions of its amended 2025 constitution, which it said was gazetted and approved by the Federal Government on March 12, 2026.
It said copies of the strike notification had been sent to the Inspector-General of Police, Minister of Labour and Employment, Federal Ministry of Justice and other relevant authorities for their information and necessary action.