In a recent briefing, Minister of Steel Development Shuaibu Audu shed light on the ongoing challenges facing the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, explaining why the production has not yet commenced despite its near-completion status in 1994.
Speaking at the Ministerial Sectoral Updates in Abuja, part of the activities marking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s one year in office, Audu stated the difficulty in securing a technical partner whose terms align with the interests of Nigerians.
The briefing was attended by prominent figures including the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Minister of FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike; Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim Bio; Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmud; Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; and Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande.
Audu remarked, “Ajaokuta Steel Complex was 98 percent completed in 1994, which was about 30 years ago. Since then, there’s been a lot going on in terms of trying to make the complex operational and concessioned to a technical partner with the necessary expertise.
However, this has not panned out as planned because some of the terms of the agreement were not in the best interest of Nigerians.”
The Minister further elaborated on the current state of the complex, noting that the facility is unlikely to be 98 percent complete today due to the lack of activity over the past three decades.
He emphasized that a lot of work is required to bring the complex to operational status, acknowledging the challenges inherent in the steel industry and the enormity of the task at hand.
