FG Deepens Efforts to Tackle Insecurity, as Ministers of Steel Development, Defence Sign MoU for Production of Military Hardware, Build Military Industrial Complex at Ajaokuta As part of its renewed commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and advancing national industrialisation objectives, the Federal Government has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministry of Steel Development and the Federal Ministry of Defence to commence the local production of military hardware and build a Military Industrial Complex at the Ajaokuta Steel Territory in Kogi State. The MoU, which contained two key components, was signed between the Federal Ministry of Steel Development by the Honourable Minister, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, and the Federal Ministry of Defence, by the Honourable Minister of State, H.E. Bello Matawalle MON, and the second between Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Abuja. The partnership signals a new dawn for Nigeria’s industrial and security advancement. Prince Audu described the partnership as “a historic breakthrough and one of the most significant developments since the establishment of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex nearly 50 years ago.” He explained that the collaboration will see the Engineering Workshops at Ajaokuta repurposed for the production of military equipment such as bullets, helmets, vests, and rifles, while a portion of land within the complex will be allocated to the Ministry of Defence for the establishment of a Military Industrial Complex. Prince Audu said that the agreement aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s “Renewed Hope” Agenda, which prioritises national security, job creation, and industrial development through local production. “This initiative will greatly strengthen our security architecture and contribute to addressing the insecurity challenges facing various parts of the country, particularly in the North East and North West. By utilising the infrastructure at Ajaokuta, we are positioning Nigeria to achieve self-sufficiency in defence production and industrial growth,” Prince Audu said. In his remarks, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, MON, commended the collaboration as a bold and visionary step toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing. He noted that the partnership demonstrates the Federal Government’s determination to transform Nigeria from a consumer to a producer of military hardware by leveraging its natural resources and indigenous capacity. “Ajaokuta Steel Plant remains a national asset and the foundation of Nigeria’s industrialisation. This partnership is a strategic alliance between our defence and industrial sectors, reinforcing the President’s vision to enhance local productivity and build a stronger, safer Nigeria,” Matawalle stated. Also speaking, the Director General of DICON, Major General Babatunde Alaya, highlighted the importance of the agreement, noting that steel is the foundation of all military production. He added that the MoU would help both DICON and Ajaokuta Steel Company reach new heights in producing indigenous military and security equipment. The signing ceremony was attended by the Managing Director of Ajaokuta, Prof. Nasir Naeem; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Steel Development, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu; senior officials from both ministries; and private sector partners who produce defense equipments, including the Chairman/CEO of EPAIL, Mr. Kola Balogun, and the GMD/CEO of Proforce, Mr. Ade Ogundeyin.

MD/CEO North Central Development Commission and Management Team Pays Courtesy Visit to Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu …Seeks Collaboration with Ministry to Drive Regional Growth The Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, on Tuesday, November 5, 2025, received in audience the Managing Director/CEO of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, and the Executive Management team of the Commission, who paid him a courtesy in Abuja to discuss areas of collaboration aimed at accelerating the development of the North Central region. Speaking during the visit, the MD/CEO of the Commission, Dr. Cyril Tsenyil, said that the steel sector remains a critical pillar for the sustainable development of the North Central region. He noted that under the Act establishing the Commission, one of its core mandates is to harness the vast natural and mineral resources within the zone to drive inclusive growth and regional prosperity. Dr. Tsenyil stated that “We believe that we cannot drive meaningful development in the region without paying attention to the steel sector. There are many steel facilities that were started but are still lying fallow across the zone, particularly the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the Jos Steel Rolling Mill, which are under the purview of your Ministry.  “As a development commission, we would like to collaborate with your ministry to rehabilitate these moribund facilities and harness the rich mineral resources, including rare earth minerals that can catalyse industrial growth in the region.” Dr. Tsenyil further highlighted that part of the Commission’s mandate includes improving railway connectivity across the zone, noting that steel and related raw materials are vital to achieving this objective.  He expressed optimism that technical collaboration with the Ministry would help unlock the region’s full economic potential. In his response, the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, commended the NCDC for its proactive initiative and described the Commission as a critical institution for the transformation of the North Central geopolitical zone. He said the engagement was very important, especially as a Minister from the North Central region, adding that there are several areas where both institutions can collaborate and upscale synergy for the benefit of the people and the nation at large. Prince Audu reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to partner with the NCDC to implement joint initiatives that will accelerate industrialisation, create employment opportunities, and ensure sustainable utilisation of mineral resources for the benefit of Nigerians, especially those from the North Central geopolitical zone. Also in attendance at the meeting were other Executive Directors of the Commission, including Princess Atika Ajanah, Executive Director, Projects; Hajia Biliquis Jumoke Sanni, Executive Director, Administration and Human Resources; Aisha Rufai Ibrahim, Executive Director, Commercial and Industrial Development; Prof. Muhammad Bashar, Executive Director, Finance; and Mr. James Uloko, Executive Director, Corporate Services.  

FG, Stellar Steel Sign $400m Deal to Boost Local Steel Production The Federal Ministry of Steel Development has signed a Joint Strategic Cooperation Declaration with Stellar Steel Company Limited. Stellar Steel Company Limited is a steel-manufacturing enterprise established to operate in Nigeria, with major investment backing from Chinese parent groups: Galaxy Group and RSIN Group based in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China.  The company has committed approximately US$450 million for a steel plant project in Ogun State, Nigeria, scheduled to begin operations by mid-2026. This landmark partnership is aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s steel industry and reducing the nation’s dependence on imported steel products. The agreement, signed in Abuja, on Tuesday 28th October, 2025 will see Stellar Steel invest $400 million in the construction of a modern Steel Plant in Ewekoro, Ogun State. The project will be developed in three phases, with the first phase expected to begin production by 2026. The Honorable Minister of Steel Development Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu signed the agreement when he hosted Mr. Li, President of Inner Galaxy Group and other members of the Stellar Steel Company Limited in the Ministry's Headquarters in Abuja.  According to Prince Audu, the collaboration aligns with the Federal Government’s goal of achieving 10 million tonnes of crude steel production per annum by 2030, a major step toward industrial self-reliance and economic diversification. The Honorable Minister further stated that the  Federal Ministry of Steel Development will facilitate policy and infrastructure support, including inclusion of Stellar Steel’s logistics projects in the National Infrastructure Plan and access to available fiscal incentives. Highlights of the Cooperation includes; 1.Development of a localized iron ore supply chain to reduce import dependence and save over $1 billion in foreign exchange annually. 2. Creation of more than 2,000 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs across the steel value chain. 3. Promotion of green steel production using clean and energy-efficient technologies. 4. Strengthening of Nigeria’s position as a regional steel manufacturing hub in West Africa. He also stated that in return, Stellar Steel will prioritize local recruitment and training, partnering with Nigerian universities to build technical and managerial expertise in steel production. Prince Shuaibu emphasized that this strategic cooperation marks a new era for Nigeria’s steel industry and demonstrates the government’s commitment to sustainable industrial growth and economic transformation. In his remarks the leader of the delegation, Mr. Li assured the Honourable Minister that Stellar Steel Company Limited will respect all agreements reached and will ensure the completion of the project in record time and assured that all safety standards will be observed. Mr. Li was accompanied during the visit by Mr. You Xiastian, Vice Chairman of RSIN Group, Mr. Jackie Den, Vice President of Inner Galaxy Group and Mr. Yin, Director of RSIN Group. He recalled that the Honourable Minister of Steel Department, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Steel Plant in Ogun State sometime in April, 2025. Speaking at the signing, representatives of both parties emphasized that the partnership would strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base, create jobs, and foster technology transfer in the sector.