Minister of Steel Development Welcomes Benin President, Patrice Talon to West African Economic Summit …Reaffirms President Tinubu’s Pledge to National and Regional Economic Growth The Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, on Saturday, June 21, 2025, received the President of the Republic of Benin, His Excellency Patrice Talon, on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who is hosting the ongoing West African Economic Summit in Abuja, Nigeria. The West African Economic Summit (WAES 2025), themed “Unlocking Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Region,” is aimed at accelerating intra-regional economic growth, enhancing integration and resilience, harmonising trade policies, and removing barriers to intra-African commerce. It also seeks to mobilise investment for critical infrastructure, energy, and logistics; empower women, youth, and SMEs; and strengthen economic resilience through innovation, institutional reforms, and strategic partnerships. Prince Audu, who joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other Heads of State and Government from across West Africa, described the Summit as a regional amplifier of the Renewed Hope Agenda, reflecting Nigeria’s economic reform efforts within a broader West African framework. “Mr. President has consistently reiterated his vision to grow the Nigerian economy to $1 trillion before the end of this administration. He has matched his words with action through bold and strategic reforms. Hosting the West African Economic Summit, in his capacity as Chair of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, reaffirms his commitment to regional growth and cooperation.” “President Tinubu’s vision extends beyond Nigeria to the entire sub-region. This Summit creates a critical platform for dialogue, collaboration, and progress toward shared prosperity in West Africa.” “At the Ministry of Steel Development, we are fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda and are working tirelessly to contribute meaningfully to both national and regional economic development,” Prince Audu stated.

FG TRAIN NIGERIAN YOUTHS ON WELDING AND FABRICATION FOR INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION ....As the Minister commend the resilience of Nigerian Youths  The Federal Government through the Ministry of Steel Development has concluded the training of  535 Nigerian Youths in its First Edition of Bootcamp Training on Welding and Fabrication; Industrial Foundry and Metallurgy as well as Instrumentation, Control and Mechanical Maintenance to equip them with practical skills and knowledge that will enable them become productive contributors to the steel and metal sector, and by extension, to the national economy.  The Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu who presided over the official Closing Ceremony of the Boot-Camp Training Programme organized by the Ministry on Friday, 23rd of May, 2025, at the Metallurgical Training Institute (MTI), Onitsha, Anambra State, disclosed that the  initiative represents a significant stride in the nation's collective effort to rejuvenate Nigeria's steel industry and empower the youths with the skills necessary for national development.  Speaking during the ceremony, Prince Audu commended the dedication, resilience, and discipline shown by the trainees over the course of the intensive program. He emphasized the Federal Government's commitment to youth empowerment through technical and vocational education, stating: "this boot-camp was not just about skills acquisition and equipment empowerment; it was about character development, discipline, and the cultivation of a mindset geared towards innovation, entrepreneurship, and national service. Our strategic aim is to build a pool of competent, patriotic young people who can drive Nigeria’s metallurgical and steel sector forward.  He stated that for the country to realize its vision for the steel sector, it must invest in human capital, adding that the Bootcamp Training and Empowerment Programme is a testament to the Federal Government commitment to developing a skilled workforce. According to him, by equipping the youths with practical skills in welding and metallurgy, the nation is laying the foundation for a self-reliant and industrialized Nigeria. The Honourable Minister while reeling out some  achievements of the Ministry under his watch revealed that the strategic aim is to evolve over time, a pool of competent, patriotic young Nigerians with passion to drive forward the emerging Nigerian Metallurgical and Steel sector towards a $1trillion USD economy as envisioned by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, by 2030.  Prince Audu commended the facilitators of the training programme from the Ministry and the Management/Staff and instructors from the Metallurgical Training Institute (MTI), Onitsha, for providing the enabling environment and technical expertise for the smooth execution of the maiden programme and tasked the graduands to be good  ambassadors of the programme and pioneers of a new wave of industrial revitalization. He said "let your actions reflect the values of diligence, excellence, and patriotism you have imbibed here.  As you receive your starter packs today, let them symbolize not an end, but a new beginning — the beginning of your journey into productivity, creativity, and national impact". Speaking at the event, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Soludo, CFR, who was represented by the Commissioner for Industry, Christine Udechukwu commended the Ministry for the laudable initiative of equipping young Nigerians with skills to solve problems and create wealth.  Also, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Steel, Distinguished Senator Patrick Ndubueze, represented by Chief Etiebat Nwachukwu, said the Bootcamp Training should be an Annual Intervention Programme, stating that the Ministry will get legislative backing for it's sustainability. He added that the programme represent Federal Government efforts to ensure continuous youth development to drive the progressive agenda. Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu stated that the programme was not just conceived as a training exercise, but as a platform to ignite dreams, shape ideas, and build a new generation of entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s metal and steel value chain. Dr. Chris sharing an inspiring story of a young man in a small town in Northern Nigeria who started a modest metal fabrication business with just one welding machine and a rented shed, going from door to door repairing gates, metal doors, and window protectors, and who with time, learned how to design security systems, began fabricating agricultural tools, and later diversified into building lightweight steel structures. Today, that young man owns a company that employs over 150 people, supplies steel products across three West African countries, and recently signed a contract with a local government to produce solar-powered kiosks for rural markets, he told the graduands, "the journey does not end here — in fact, this is where it truly begins". The Director Metallurgical Inspectorate Department, Engr. Frederick Ewa, giving the overview of the bootcamp, disclosed that the initiative was not just a training programme but a movement, a clarion call to action, designed to catalyze the rebirth of Nigeria’s metals and steel sector by investing in its most invaluable resource: the youths.  Engr. Ewa revealed that a staggering 258,833 applications were received across every state and region of the country, from which 700 youths were selected through a rigorous but transparent, merit-driven process. These young men and women were trained in four strenuous batches here at the Metallurgical Training Institute (MTI), Onitsha, a citadel of excellence in metallurgical education and practice. He enjoined the graduates to go out and ignite industries, illuminate communities, and forge the future Nigeria deserves. Also speaking, the General Course Rep. of the programme, Esemuede Omoruyi, appreciated the Federal Government for it's resolute focus on human capital development and affirmed the graduates commitment to translate the investment  into tangible progress, pledging that they will be dynamic contributors to a skilled, innovative and industrious country. 

STEEL DEVELOPMENT: MINISTER VISITS PREMIUM STEEL & MINES LTD TO ASSESS PROGRESS AND STRENGTHEN INDUSTRY COLLABORATION The Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, conducted a significant visit to the Delta Steel Company, now  Premium Steel and Mines Ltd located in Ovwian-Aladja, Delta State, on Thursday, 22nd May 2025 to assess the facility and meet with top Management of the Company on their schedule for commencement of full commercial operation of the Plant as well as explore avenues for further development within Nigeria's steel sector. Prince Audu accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chris Isokpunwu and other Directors in the Ministry, disclosed that the revitalization of the Premium Steel and Mines Ltd (PSML), one of Nigeria's most iconic industrial assets, stands as a national imperative in the pursuit of economic diversification, job creation, and industrial self-reliance. He noted that PSML was once the cornerstone of Nigeria's steel industry and a critical engine for regional development. The Honourable Minister revealed that the inspection tour is in furtherance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s resolve to ensure that all legacy Steel assets are resuscitated for optimum contribution to the national economy, irrespective of the ownership structure. He said "I have the mandate of Mr. President to intervene and resolve all issues holding these assets down and ensure that the noble vision of our founding fathers is realized in these projects". Prince Audu emphasized that the revitalization of Premium Steel and Mines Ltd is expected to create over 5,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs, catalyzing growth in allied industries and significantly reduce unemployment and improve livelihoods. He stated that he is optimistic that Premium Steel & Mines Ltd whose promoters have experience in the Nigerian economy will contribute immensely to the vision of the present administration to grow the national Gross Domestic Product to $1Trillion USD.  The Minister stated that for Nigeria to take its right place in the global steel order, the Ministry is ready to midwife the process of rejuvenating Premium Steel & Mines Ltd to actualize full commercial operation in order for it to contribute immensely to Industrial Revolution. He reassured of Federal Government’s commitment to facilitate and support the efforts of the Management of Premium Steel in resuscitating the national legacy asset and do all in its power to ensure an enabling environment, adding that as the Ministry champion the emergence of a virile Steel Industry in Nigeria, it will not neglect its role in ensuring production of quality products while promoting and protecting the local operators in Nigeria.  The Honourable Minister's visit to Premium Steel & Mines Ltd underscores the Federal Government's commitment to revitalizing Nigeria's steel industry and positioning it as a key driver of economic development. Through continued collaboration, strategic investments, and policy support, the steel sector is poised to contribute significantly to the nation's industrialization and economic diversification goals. Speaking also, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu reiterated the Ministry's commitment to ensure continuous engagement until a vibrant steel sector is achieved in the country.  Earlier, the Managing Director CEO of Premium Steel Mines Ltd, Sahil Vaswani stated that the Company introduced cutting-edge technology to rehabilitate the Rolling Mill in 2018 in its strong commitment to see that the Plant is revived. However, according to him, the shut down of the Rolling Mill in 2021 as a result of multiple challenges, beginning with COVID-19 and other factors, has severely disrupted access to essential raw materials.  Vaswani disclosed that as a committed investor, Premium Steel & Mines Ltd (PSML), has the potential to revive the dormant Steel Plant and position it as a catalyst for igniting Nigeria's industrial revolution. He noted that if fully operational, PSML would contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. He appealed to the Federal Government to make available the supply of iron ore sourced locally in order to reduce high working capital cycle.