MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENTS OF PRINCE SHUAIBU ABUBAKAR AUDU, MINISTER OF STEEL DEVELOPMENT IN THE REVIVAL OF STEEL INDUSTRIES IN NIGERIA
1. Revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company
Signed MoU with original builders in Sept 2024; signed with TPE and consortium in Moscow, Russia to audit and revive Ajaokuta Steel Plant after 40+ years dormancy
-Technical audit started: Procurement process completed for technical audit firm; auditing of entire plant commenced before end of 2024
-New financing strategy: Engaging China as strategic partner due to Russia-Ukraine war complications
2. Attracting major private investments
– $500 million LNG project: Facilitated NNPCL+ partners’ 5 mini-LNG plants within Ajaokuta Steel territory
– $400 million Stellar Steel Plant: Official groundbreaking for Inner Galaxy Group’s plant in Ogun State, to be completed April 2026
– Orbit Galvanized Steel Plant: Commissioned April 22, 2025 in Lagos — $100M annual turnover capacity, produces telecom towers for local use + export
– African Foundries Limited: Praised $600M iron ore mine in Kaduna and new galvanized steel plant. AFL now exports steel to Senegal, Mali, Morocco
3. Defence-industrial partnerships
– *MoU with the Ministry of Defence/DICON*: To produce military hardware — rifles, vests, helmets, bullets — at Ajaokuta Steel Complex
– *Goal*: Transform Ajaokuta into part of a broader military-industrial complex fulfilled
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4. Policy & roadmap development
*10-year in-house roadmap*: Designed by technical team to chart revival of entire steel sector
– *$1 trillion GDP target*: Steel sector positioned as cornerstone to grow Nigeria’s economy to $Trillions by 2030
– *Metallurgical Industry Bill*: Progressing in House of Reps, passed second reading
– *National Steel Summit*: Held to get stakeholder consensus; set target of 10M metric tonnes of steel annually + 500,000 jobs
*5. Reviving other dormant assets*
– *ALSCON*: Efforts underway to re-operate Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria
– *Delta Steel*: Supporting Premium Mines and Steel Limited to return to optimal production
6. *Local content & job creation push*
-200,000 MT tower capacity Nigeria’s combined annual production of fabricated towers now ∼200,000 MT after Orbit commissioning
-Jobs target: 500,000+ direct/indirect jobs projected from steel sector revival
7. As of April 2026, Nigeria’s Minister of Steel Development signed a $1 billion MoU with India’s Rashmi Metaliks Group in Kolkata to boost Nigeria’s steel sector over three years. Separately, India’s Ministry of Steel signed MoUs with 55 companies for 85 specialty steel projects, aimed at ₹11,887 crore in investments.
8. As of February 2026, the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, has been actively implementing a “Light Up Kogi East” initiative. This project focuses on the installation of solar-powered street lights across various communities in the Kogi East Senatorial District to enhance safety, security, and economic activity.
The project involves installing 80-watt and 60-watt solar street lights to brighten roads and public spaces, acting as a deterrent to crime.
Residents, including market women and youths, have expressed gratitude for the improved visibility and increased opportunities for business activities after dark.
9. *N50,000 Conditional Presidential Grant for 10,000 Kogites:** The Hon. Minister facilitated N50,000 grants under the Presidential Grant initiative for individuals and small and micro businesses for 10,000 Kogites which brought the total amount to N500,000,000 (five hundred million Naira only)
10. *Purchase of Jamb Forms for 1,000 indigent Kogi Students*: The Hon. Minister purchased 1,000 jamb forms for underprivileged Kogites for the 2025 Academic year. This has impacted many students positively
11. *Distribution of 10,000 bags of Rice, Fertilisers and Groundnut Oil for Kogites* – The Hon. Minister has distributed 10,000 bags of rice, fertilisers, groundnut oil and salt for Kogites across the 3 senatorial districts of Kogi State
*IN CONCLUSION *
The Renewed Hope Agenda is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s GCFR strategic policy framework for Nigeria, aimed at driving economic growth, bolstering security, and fostering social inclusion. It focuses on eight key priorities, including job creation, infrastructure development, agricultural reform, and improved governance, to create a more prosperous and equitable nation.
Kogi State sons and daughters are grateful to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed TINUBU GCFR for the various juicy appointments given to them and promised to deliver millions of votes come 2027 in appreciation.
1/5/2026
Dr.Ojonugwa Ameh
Writes from Dekina LGA
Kogi State
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MAY 1ST 2026)
