Scrap and waste dealers across Nigeria have begun a 15-day nationwide warning strike over a dispute with iron-smelting and steel manufacturing companies.

The industrial action commenced on Thursday, October 1, 2026, following complaints over scrap metal pricing, weighing procedures and other alleged business practices.

The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria, NASWDEN, announced the strike through its Deputy National President, Aminu Hassan Soja, during a press conference in Kano.

Soja said members had been directed to stop supplying scrap metals to affected steel companies throughout the 15-day period.

According to him, dealers are protesting what the association described as arbitrary reductions in scrap prices after materials have already been delivered.

He alleged that the practice was causing losses running into millions of naira on individual truckloads.

Soja claimed dealers could lose between N3 million and N4 million on a single truckload because of price reductions and deductions.

The association also raised concerns about weighing procedures at some steel companies.

Soja alleged that quantities delivered by dealers were sometimes higher than the quantities recorded during weighing, resulting in lower payments.

He further alleged that some manufacturers were producing reinforcement bars below stated specifications by manipulating the dimensions of iron rods. The claim has not been independently established.

NASWDEN also linked recent changes in scrap prices to international market conditions and geopolitical disruptions, which it said had increased the availability of cheaper steel-related materials in some markets.

The association said local scrap dealers should not bear the entire impact of changes in international commodity markets.

Another concern is the reported expansion of foreign-owned operations into scrap collection and trading.

The dealers alleged that some foreign companies have established collection centres and dumpsites, making it difficult for indigenous operators to compete.

Soja said the scrap industry provides livelihoods for millions of Nigerians, particularly young people, and called for stronger government intervention.

He urged the Federal Government to formalise the sector, regulate interactions between scrap dealers and steel manufacturers and consider intervention funding for indigenous operators.

The association said discussions had already begun with government representatives through the Executive Secretary of the National Steel Council, Ambassador Abdelkader Fadi.

Soja said NASWDEN had submitted its grievances and was awaiting further action.

He also warned that the 15-day action could become indefinite if the issues were not resolved.

The association said its members would conduct the strike peacefully while seeking dialogue with steel manufacturers and government authorities.

The dispute comes as Nigeria continues efforts to expand domestic steel production and strengthen local industrial supply chains.

Any prolonged disruption in scrap supplies could affect companies that rely heavily on scrap metal as a raw material.

For now, NASWDEN is demanding government intervention and a resolution of the pricing, weighing and other concerns before normal supplies resume.