Top 5 Scrap Metals That Pay the Most in Lagos

“Workers sorting recyclable materials at a Lagos scrapyard, emphasizing organized metal recycling efforts.

If you've ever looked at a pile of old metal in your compound and wondered whether it's worth anything, the short answer is yes, but not all scrap is created equal. In Lagos, where industrial activity, construction, and a strong recycling market all collide, some metals will fetch you serious money while others barely cover transport. At V-Martins Recycling, we buy scrap every day across Lagos, and here's what we see clearly: the people who profit most are the ones who know what to collect and what to leave behind.

So if you're a homeowner clearing out junk, a contractor on a demolition site, or an entrepreneur exploring the recycling business, this guide is for you. Here are the top 5 scrap metals that pay the most in Lagos right now.

1. Copper — The King of Scrap

Copper is, hands down, the most valuable common scrap metal in Nigeria. At V-Martins, we currently pay between ₦10,000 and ₦13,000 per kilogram, depending on grade and purity. That's not a typo; copper pays more per kg than any other everyday scrap you'll find in Lagos.

Why is it so valuable? Copper is in almost every piece of modern technology that uses electricity: power cables, motor windings, transformers, air-conditioner coils, plumbing pipes, and electrical wiring. Global demand for copper has surged thanks to electric vehicles and renewable energy, and that demand trickles down to your local scrap yard.

Where to find it: burnt-out electric motors, old AC units (especially the inner coils), water heaters, abandoned cables, generator windings, and damaged transformers. If you can strip the insulation off copper wire to get "bright and shiny” copper, you'll earn the top price.

2. Brass — The Underrated Earner

Brass is copper's slightly less famous cousin, but it still pays handsomely, typically ₦7,000 to ₦7,500 per kilogram in Lagos. Because it's an alloy of copper and zinc, brass inherits a lot of copper's value while being more common in everyday items.

Where to find it: plumbing fittings, old taps and valves, padlocks, door handles, gas burner heads, ammunition casings, and decorative items. Brass has a distinctive yellow-gold colour that's easy to spot once you train your eye. A single old brass tap can weigh half a kilo; three or four of these and you've got real cash.

3. Aluminium — Light Metal, Heavy Volume

Aluminium pays ₦2,000 to ₦3,000 per kilogram depending on grade (cast, sheet, or extruded). Per kilo, it pays less than copper or brass, but here's the trick: aluminium is everywhere, and it adds up fast.

Where to find it: old window frames, car rims, engine blocks, condemned pots and cookware, soft drink cans, electrical cable cores, and roofing sheets. Aluminium is also lightweight, which means you can move and store large volumes without breaking your back or your truck.

For Lagos businesses and contractors clearing out commercial sites, aluminium is often the volume earner. Cast aluminium (from engine parts) usually pays a bit less than clean extruded aluminium (from window frames), so it helps to separate them before selling.

4. Stainless Steel — Cleaner Pay, Heavier Items

Stainless steel typically fetches ₦800 to ₦1,000 per kilogram, depending on the grade (304 grade pays better than 201). It's not the highest per-kilo earner on this list, but stainless items are typically heavy, so the cheques add up quickly.

Where to find it: old industrial kitchens, restaurant equipment, hospital fittings, water tanks, sinks, balustrades, and decommissioned food-processing machinery. A single stainless restaurant sink can weigh 15–25 kg.

A simple trick to test stainless steel: it's non-magnetic (especially the higher 304 grade). If your magnet doesn't stick, you're likely looking at the more valuable type.

5. Iron and Heavy Steel — The Volume Game

Iron and heavy steel pay around ₦600 per kilogram in Lagos. On the surface that sounds modest, and per kilo, it is. But iron and steel are the metals that win on volume. A single abandoned vehicle chassis, an old generator frame, or a few iron rods can quickly run into hundreds of kilos.

Where to find it: old vehicles, demolition debris, iron rods (rebars), machinery frames, water tanks, gates, burglar-proof bars, and structural beams. If you're running a demolition project or clearing a workshop, iron is almost always where the bulk of your scrap weight lives.

For larger lots, it's worth getting a quote before transporting; heavy steel can be expensive to move, so the price per kg only really matters once you've factored in logistics.

Bonus Tip: Sort Before You Sell

Here's the single most important thing most people miss: mixed scrap pays less than sorted scrap. A bucket of mixed copper, brass, and aluminium gets quoted as the cheapest metal in it. But if you take 30 minutes to separate them, you can sometimes double what you'd otherwise earn.

A few simple sorting tips: keep copper, brass, and aluminium in separate piles; strip insulation off wires when you can; remove rubber, plastic, and other non-metals; and put non-magnetic metals (likely stainless or aluminium) aside from magnetic ones (iron and steel).

A Quick Word on Prices

Scrap prices in Lagos fluctuate daily, and they move with global commodity markets and the naira exchange rate. The figures in this guide reflect current rates in May 2026, but they can shift up or down within a week. Always call ahead for a live quote before you load your truck.

Selling Your Scrap in Lagos

V-Martins Recycling buys all five of these metals (and more) across Lagos. We offer transparent pricing, accurate digital scales, and same-day collection for larger lots. Whether you have a single old generator or a warehouse full of decommissioned equipment, we'd be glad to give you a fair quote.

Call or WhatsApp: 07030271207

Have scrap you want valued? Take a photo, send us a message, and we'll quote you back the same day. The money is sitting in your compound; let's turn it into cash.