The Nigerian Government has launched a renewed and determined effort to resuscitate the Ajaokuta Steel Company, a long-dormant national asset considered vital to Nigeria’s industrial development and large-scale job creation.
As part of this initiative, the government is engaging top Chinese steel manufacturers for technical collaboration, financial backing, and operational partnerships to bring the facility to full capacity.
Strategic Investment Mission to China
Spearheading this drive is the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, who is leading a high-level federal delegation on a strategic investment mission to China. The delegation includes Mr. Joseph Tegbe, Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, along with senior officials from the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing.
The team has engaged in talks with major Chinese steel corporations such as:
-
Sino Steel (subsidiary of Baowu Group)
-
Fangda Steel Group
-
Jingye Steel Group
According to the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji, discussions have centred on comprehensive technical evaluations, investment frameworks, and operational blueprints required for the successful reactivation of Ajaokuta Steel.
Reviving Nigeria’s Industrial Heartbeat
Minister Audu emphasised the critical role of the Ajaokuta facility in Nigeria’s future:
“Our objective is clear — to secure robust technical and financial partnerships to revive Ajaokuta Steel. This facility is central to driving Nigeria’s industrial growth, supporting local manufacturing, and creating thousands of jobs.”
He affirmed that reviving Ajaokuta remains a top agenda of the Renewed Hope administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with a commitment to delivering tangible progress before the end of the current government’s term.
Mr. Tegbe described the engagement with Chinese steel leaders as a “strategic alignment of China’s industrial prowess with Nigeria’s economic vision,” noting the potential for long-term transformation across the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.
A Renewed National Priority
This revitalisation effort comes amid growing national consensus on the need to reduce Nigeria’s heavy reliance on steel imports and develop homegrown capacity to power strategic sectors including:
-
Automobile manufacturing
-
Infrastructure development
-
Construction and heavy equipment industries
Despite being established in the late 1970s, the Ajaokuta Steel Company has faced decades of stagnation due to policy inconsistencies, failed concessions, and chronic underfunding. Nevertheless, it remains a key national asset, originally designed with an installed capacity of 1.9 million tonnes annually, and potential expansion to 5 million tonnes.
A New Era for Nigeria’s Steel Industry
With a clear focus on industrial self-sufficiency, and strong backing from international partners, the Nigerian Government is optimistic that the Ajaokuta Steel revival will finally become a reality. If successful, it could serve as a powerful catalyst for economic transformation, job creation, and infrastructure advancement across the nation.
