MINISTER OF STEEL DEVELOPMENT, PRINCE SHUAIBU ABUBAKAR AUDU, PRESENTS LETTER OF APPOINTMENT TO THE NEW MD OF AJAOKUTA STEEL COMPANY The Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, on Monday, April 7, 2025, officially received the newly appointed Managing Director of the  Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL), Prof. Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam and presented him with his appointment letter following the handover by the former Acting Sole Administrator, Engr. Kanwai Joseph, to the new leadership. Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the Minister’s office in Abuja, Prince Audu expressed confidence in Prof. Abdulsalam’s ability to lead Ajaokuta Steel Company in alignment with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the revival of the moribund steel plant. The Minister also extended his appreciation to the outgoing Acting Sole Administrator, Engr. Kanwai Joseph, commending his dedication to duty all through his almost 35 years of service at the Steel Plant where he rose from an entry level engineer to the healm of affairs at the Steel Plant as acting Sole Administrator in the last six months. “I congratulate the newly appointed Managing Director of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, Prof. Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam, a seasoned academician and Professor of Geophysics and someone well-acquainted with the steel sector, having served as my Technical Adviser prior to this appointment. “Reviving Ajaokuta Steel Plant is a collective project. It is not something the Minister, Permanent Secretary, or Managing Director can achieve alone. All hands must be on deck as it requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders to realise Mr. President’s vision for the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Plant and the broader steel sector. “I assure you that the revival of Ajaokuta Steel and the entire Steel Sector is well underway. Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) in Moscow, Russia in September last year, we are on the verge of carrying out the technical and financial audit of the Complex and other critical processes so as to bring in investors and suitors from the various options available through a privatization process as directed by Mr. President. Our role is to consolidate these gains and present viable options for Mr. President’s approval. “I wish you Godspeed as we work together towards the successful revival of Ajaokuta Steel Plant,” Prince Audu stated. Permanent Secretary, of the Ministry, Dr. Chris Osa Isokponwu, also congratulated Prof. Abdulsalam on his appointment, urging him to prepare for the enormous task ahead while assuring him of the Ministry’s full support. “It will not be an easy task; you are facing a challenge of over 45 years. The good news is that you have a Minister who is fully committed to the success of Ajaokuta’s revival,” Dr. Isokponwu stated. In his response, Prof. Abdulsalam expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for entrusting him with this significant responsibility and thanked the Honourable Minister for his support and collaborative spirit. He also commended the Minister for the remarkable strides taken in less than two years in office and also giving him the opportunity to serve as his Technical Adviser prior to his appointment, stating that the groundwork laid by the Minister has positioned him for success. “Our fundamental goal is to work together to realise Mr. President’s vision for the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Plant. I am fully prepared to deliver on this mandate with the support of the Honourable Minister, the Permanent Secretary, and the entire team at the Ministry of Steel Development. I pray and I am confident that Ajaokuta will come alive in our time,” Prof. Abdulsalam stated. The outgoing Acting Sole Administrator, Engr. Kanwai Joseph, praised the Minister’s decision to engage the original builders of the steel plant, describing it as the most strategic move in his 35 years of service at Ajaokuta. He noted that if this step had been taken earlier, the steel plant would have been revived long ago.

NIGERIA TO PRODUCE 10M TONNES OF STEEL ANNUALLY TO REDUCE IMPORT -Discloses partnership with DICON for production of Military hardware The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, has said that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, their target is to produce 10 million metric tonnes of steel annually so as to significantly reduce the country’s reliance on imported steel. “Once our plans are fully implemented in the next five years, we will achieve all our objectives,” he said. He spoke in Kaduna on Thursday, while on a visit to the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA) and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).The Minister also paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe. The Minister who said Nigeria imports about $4 billion worth of steel annually,underscored the need for import substitution so as to reduce pressure on foreign exchange. Describing NSRMEA as a cornerstone in the Federal Government’s plan to grow Nigeria’s economy to $1 trillion by 2030,Minister Audu said “for Nigeria to produce steel in large quantities as we desire, it is very important that the exploration arm of the industry is operating at full capacity.” He said previous assessments ranked NSRMEA as one of the best-performing agencies under his ministry, and commended the agency for its performance. According to him, plans were underway to partner with the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to produce military hardware in Nigeria. He said one of President Bola Tinubu’s key objectives is the rehabilitation of Ajaokuta Steel Company. “We are working towards integrating military hardware production into the complex as part of a broader plan to establish a military-industrial complex in Nigeria.An MoU had already been drafted and shared with DICON, pending presidential approval,” he added. He said the administration would reposition the steel sector in Nigeria, even as they planned to organize Nigeria’s inaugural steel summit to organize stakeholders who would develop a comprehensive blueprint for the steel industry’s growth and development. According to him, the Metallurgical Industry Bill, has passed its second reading at the House of Representatives.”The bill, once passed and signed into law, will provide a regulatory framework for both private and corporate steel players, ensuring proper governance and development of the sector.” “The Federal Government is attracting foreign direct investments (FDI) into the steel industry… President Tinubu was in New Delhi in September 2023, where a commitment was made for the production of five million metric tonnes of steel in Nigeria.” “In addition, a Chinese company, Galaxy, is investing $300 million in a steel plant in Ogun State. These investments will expand Nigeria’s steel production capacity..The ministry is working on a 5-10 year roadmap for the steel industry, incorporating best practices from other countries.”

FG Begins 3-Batch Comprehensive Youths Welding Boot-Camp Training In order to empower Nigerian Youths with essential skills for employment and entrepreneurship, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Steel Development, has commenced a 3-Batch comprehensive Boot-Camp Training Programme on welding.  It is aimed at equipping young individuals with practical competencies in welding techniques and knowledge crucial for contributing to the nation’s industrial growth. This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, during the flag-off of the First-Batch of the Ministry's Boot-Camp Training for Nigeria Youths in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Thursday, 6th March 2025.  According to him, the initiative marks a significant step in the Ministry's commitment to develop a skilled workforce, fostering industrial growth, and promoting sustainable development within Nigeria’s metallurgical and steel sector.  He said that the Ministry, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, Prince Shaiubu Abubakar Audu, has taken deliberate steps to reposition the steel and metals industry as a cornerstone of the nation’s economic transformation.  The Ministry, he said, recognized that achieving the goal requires not only infrastructural investments but also the empowerment of human capital—hence the need for the intensive bootcamp training. Dr. Chris, in a statement by Tine-Iulun M A, Assistant Director (Information & Public Relations), on behalf of the Head, (Information & PR),  revealed that the programme is designed to equip selected participants with hands-on skills, technical knowledge, and industry insights crucial for advancing the Nigerian metallurgical landscape. He said that in the next few weeks, the participants will undergo rigorous training in welding and fabrication, industrial foundry and metallurgy, and instrumentation, system control, and mechanical maintenance. He noted that the objective is to bridge skill gaps, promote innovation, and enhance the employability of the nation's youths within the steel critical sector. On the importance of the training, he said "this boot-camp is not just about learning; it is about discipline, resilience, and teamwork. I must emphasize that all participants are expected to adhere strictly to the laid-down rules and guidelines.  "The Ministry has made provisions for accommodation, feeding, and starter packs for all trainees. However, any form of misconduct—including indiscipline, violation of safety regulations, or engagement in prohibited activities such as drug use or possession of weapons—will result in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of benefits. The Permeant Secretary expressed pleasure that the participants arrived early for the camp, enabling them to settle in and prepare for the rigorous and impactful training ahead.  He admonished them to use the opportunity to position themselves as future leaders in the steel and metallurgical sector.  "I urge you to embrace this training with enthusiasm, remain focused, and take full advantage of the knowledge and experience that will be shared with you" Speaking, Chairman, Senate Committee on Steel, Distinguished Sen. Patrick Ndubueze, stated he was pleased to be part of the epoch-making event which is geared towards empowering the nations teeming youths to be self-reliant by acquiring extensive skills training in Welding and Fabrication, Industrial Foundry/Metallurgy, Instrumentation/Control System and Mechanic Maintenance.  Represented by Hon. Greg Owurmanam, Sen. Ndubueze commended the Ministry of Steel Development and all relevant Agencies who have contributed to the success of the Boot-Camp Training and enjoined the participants to give maximum attention and cooperate with the trainers to acquire the expected knowledge and skills designed for the programme. Earlier, Director Metallurgical Inspectorate, Engr. Frederick E.Ewa, giving the Overview of the Metal Sector Boot-Camp Training Programme, stated that the initiative, championed by the Ministry of Steel Development, is a strategic effort to empower young Nigerians with hands-on technical skills, foster industrial growth, and bridge the manpower gap in the nation’s steel sector. Engr. Ewa stated that the Bootcamp Training Programme is an intensive, hands-on technical training aimed at equipping participants with critical skills in three specialized areas: Welding and Fabrication; Industrial Foundry and Metallurgy Instrumentation, System Control, and Mechanical Maintenance. He noted that over the course of training, participants will be exposed to real-world practical sessions, industry best practices, and safety protocols, all of which, according to him, are essential to ensuring high-quality output in the metallurgical sector.  He encouraged trainees to be fully engaged in every session and abide by all rules and regulations, as misconduct of any kind will not be tolerated. In his welcome address, the Director/Ag. Chief Executive, Metallurgical Training Institute (MTI), Onitsha, Engr. Dr. F.U. Obi, said the training represented a bold and strategic effort by the Ministry to equip young Nigerians with high demand technical skills that are essential for the nation's industrial growth, adding that the Boot-Camp is not just for training but intended to build the next generation of skilled professionals and entrepreneurs who will drive the nation's steel and manufacturing industries forward.  According to Engr. Obi, the choice of Metallurgical Training Institute Onitsha, as venue for the Boot-Camp was deliberate.  For decades, he noted, the MTI has been at the front of technical and vocational education in Nigeria, producing skilled professionals who have made remarkable contributions to the steel industry.