Activating Ajaokuta Steel: Tinubu’s tall order and Shuaibu’s daring posture.

Activating Ajaokuta Steel: Tinubu’s tall order and Shuaibu’s daring posture.
By Abdullahi O. Haruna (Haruspice)

In the realm of Nigeria’s industrial landscape, there is a resounding call for revival, a clamor for transformation that cannot be ignored. For years, the nation’s steel sector has languished in a state of inertia, a slumber from which it now urgently needs to awaken. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sounded the rallying cry, and at the forefront of this ambitious endeavor is Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, an accomplished investment banker who now spearheads the newly created Ministry of Steel Development. The mandate is simple, clear, and pulsating. Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants the steel sector in Nigeria to roar back to productive capacity, after many years of comatose posture, the sector must work. And to make this happen, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, an investment banker must drive the process. It is on the heel of this, he was made the minister of the newly created ministry, the Steel Development.

The Challenge and the Vision

The task ahead is nothing short of monumental. Reawakening a sector that has long been dormant demands unwavering determination, vision, and resilience. Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, however, embodies these qualities, and he is committed to seeing the steel sector not just revived but thriving. His mandate is clear: to breathe life back into this ailing industry, and he believes in doing it thoroughly and excellently.

Armed with a dedicated and experienced team of professionals, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu has set forth an agenda that will reshape the steel sector into a robust pillar of Nigeria’s industrial landscape.

The Maiden Tour: Ajaokuta Steel Plant

On the commencement of his maiden tour of Nigeria’s steel plants, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu’s first stop was Ajaokuta. There, he was met with the sight of a colossal plant, standing tall and proud, yet burdened by decades of inactivity. Ajaokuta Steel Plant, once a beacon of hope, was now a symbol of untapped potential, yearning for a renaissance.

The Steel Plant’s Birth

Ajaokuta Steel Plant’s history dates back nearly four decades, a testament to the ambitions and aspirations of a burgeoning nation. It was conceived as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrialization, a promise of self-sufficiency in steel production, and a catalyst for economic growth. However, over the years, it slipped into a slumber due to various challenges, including inadequate funding, mismanagement, and bureaucratic hurdles.

Reviving Ajaokuta: The Minister’s Vision

Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu’s visit to Ajaokuta was more than just an inspection; it was a commitment to fulfill the dreams of generations past and present. The minister’s vision is to breathe life back into this behemoth of industry, to transform Ajaokuta Steel Plant into a dynamic hub of steel production.

His plan includes:
To diversify Nigeria’s economy and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the Honorable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, unveiled ambitious plans to transform the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCOL) complex into a Free Trade Zone. This strategic initiative aims to revitalize the steel industry, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth in the region thus creating an industrial park in the ancient city of Ajaokuta.

Minister Audu has expressed his commitment to ensuring the successful production of steel within a three-year timeframe. Joined by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Mary Ogbe, ministry staff, and potential foreign investors who share the vision of resuscitating the steel complex.

One of the primary strategies outlined by Audu is the designation of the 24,000-hectare land of Ajaokuta as an Industrial Park, coupled with the creation of a Free Trade Zone. This proactive approach which is crucial for Nigeria’s economic growth and development.The Minister emphasized that the successful revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company could potentially generate over 500,000 jobs, significantly contributing to poverty eradication and the fulfillment of the government’s renewed hope agenda.

Minister Audu’s visit also included foreign investors and experts from Russia, the United States, Arab nations, and China, all of whom expressed interest in contributing to the project’s success. They will conduct an advanced technical audit of the steel complex to determine the necessary steps for revitalization.

In addition to the three-year plan for Ajaokuta, the Minister outlined a broader five-year plan to expand steel production to other parts of the country. This comprehensive approach aims to harness Nigeria’s vast iron ore resources and leverage them for industrial growth.

Engr. Sumaila Abdul-Akaba, the Sole Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing the revival of this critical industry. He also praised Minister Audu’s vision and plans for revitalizing the company, emphasizing that Ajaokuta is a land of immense opportunities.

Foreign investor Mr. Jalil Hkoodshoev, representing Novostal-M Company in Russia, commended the President’s initiatives and expressed strong interest in investing in Ajaokuta. He recognized the potential for the company’s revival to impact not only Nigeria but the entire West African and African regions.

The Federal Government’s determination to transform Ajaokuta Steel Company into an Industrial Park and Free Trade Zone signifies a bold step toward economic diversification and job.The journey to revive Ajaokuta Steel Plant and the Nigerian steel sector as a whole is an arduous one. However, under the leadership of Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu and the unwavering commitment of his team, the dream of a thriving and self-sufficient steel industry is closer to realization than ever before.

As the minister embarks on this monumental task, he carries with him the hopes and aspirations of a nation eager to harness the immense potential of its steel sector. The journey may be challenging, but it is a journey toward a brighter, more industrially empowered Nigeria.

Abdullahi O. Haruna is the Special Adviser Media & Communications to the Honourable Minister of Steel Development