Modern Slavery? Nigerians Speak Out Against Foreign-Owned Factory Conditions on Nigerian Soil.

Modern Slavery? Nigerians Speak Out Against Foreign-Owned Factory Conditions on Nigerian Soil.

The Nigerian World

The news as it trends

Across Nigeria’s industrial zones, disturbing testimonies are surfacing from local workers employed under foreign investors—primarily Indian, Arab, and Chinese companies.

On social media, many Nigerians are expressing outrage over conditions in factories like African Foundries Ltd, located in Ogijo, Sagamu, and Sango.

Workers report earning as little as ₦2,070 per day (approximately $1.30 USD) while enduring hazardous environments: toxic smoke, extreme heat, and outdated machinery—often without proper safety gear.

In contrast, foreign supervisors allegedly earn ₦900,000 to ₦1.3 million monthly ($570–$825 USD), with access to free housing, meals, healthcare, and allowances.

Many perform minimal physical labor, deepening the divide.

Nigerians also lament the lack of diversity in management.

Despite years of service, few locals ever rise to leadership roles.

The disparity stings: average daily expenses exceed ₦3,000 (about $1.90 USD), trapping workers in a cycle of debt and exhaustion.

Social media is flooded with frustration.

Young Nigerians are calling it economic slavery—a system where local labor is exploited to fuel foreign profit.

Exxperts warn that unchecked inequality could trigger deeper social unrest.

Human rights advocates are calling on the Nigerian government to enforce labor protections and demand accountability—especially from foreign companies that have established profit-driven systems in Nigeria while exploiting everyday Nigerians.

These are the same citizens whose labor keeps those businesses alive, yet they’re often excluded from managerial roles and denied fair wages or safe working conditions.

Until concrete reforms are made, these factories remain visible symbols of economic injustice—hiding in plain sight, on Nigerian soil.

Yetunde B reports for Yeyetunde’s Blog.