Inside Nigeria’s ₦200 Billion Scrap-Metal Industry: From “Iron Condemn” to Big Business

What many Lagos residents call “iron condemn” is part of a large scrap-metal value chain estimated at about ₦200 billion. Scavengers collect discarded appliances, cables, vehicle parts and other metals, earning roughly ₦5,000 to ₦12,000 daily. The materials then pass through junkyards and dealers to larger merchants who buy from factories, markets and demolition sites for recycling plants or export. Metal prices can make the trade highly profitable. Iron reportedly sells for ₦700–₦800 per kilogram, aluminium for about ₦2,000, brass for about ₦8,000 and copper for up to ₦15,500. Dealers say expertise in identifying valuable metals, including silver, can significantly increase returns. Despite the opportunities, the mostly informal sector faces volatile prices, intense competition and allegations of harassment by law-enforcement officers.

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