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.

Ministry of Steel Development Partners with Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy on Utilising Locally Manufactured Steel Products in Telecom Infrastructure Development ….Mulls Establishment of Tech Hub in Ajaokuta Industrial Park The Ministry of Steel Development and the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy engaged in strategic discussions to promote the use of locally manufactured steel products in the construction of telecommunications towers across the country and other areas of mutual benefits.  This was a central point of the discussion during a courtesy visit by the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, to his counterpart, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Abuja. The discussions also explored the establishment of a Technology Hub within the Ajaokuta Industrial Park and Free Trade Zone, currently awaiting approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, and the implementation of tailored capacity-building initiatives for artisans in the steel sector, aimed at fostering innovation, productivity, and job creation. Prince Audu said that the collaboration aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly the drive to promote local content, strengthen the steel industry, and reduce reliance on imported materials, emphasising the capacity of local steel players in the country to provide effective services to the telecommunications sector. “In terms of where we see areas of collaboration, I have seen your initiative and plans to build 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables across the country at a total cost of 3.3 trillion naira and 7,000 telecom towers to be installed nationwide by end-2025. We know that there will be a lot of value addition to Nigerians. “During my official visit to Ogun State recently, I commissioned a Galvanized Steel Plant. These Galvanised Steel Plants are anti-rust, and they have capacity to be used for Telecom towers. We want these local players to be patronised, so we will appreciate if they are incorporated into this very important project. “On technical skills development, we had training for welders and artisans. We are hoping that you can expand your innovation and digital training skills programme to be able to include some of these specialised skills that we have in the steel industry because some of our guys have the skills to erect telecoms towers,” Prince Audu stated. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, welcomed the collaboration between both ministries, describing it as long overdue and an enabler of President Tinubu’s vision for economic growth and job creation. Dr Tijani said that beyond incorporating locally produced steel in the construction of the 7,000 telecom towers, the ministry is focused on ensuring long-term sustainability of the projects by involving local players for maintenance of the infrastructure. “We will leverage this project to support the work you do. My goal is that for everything steel in this project, it should be 100 per cent locally sourced. What we need to do is to have a strong alignment, not just to the private sector but how we can develop critical sectors of the economy” Tijani said. Both ministers agreed on the formation of a joint technical committee to ensure seamless implementation of the strategies and ensure synergy between both sectors.

PERMANENT SECRETARY ENGAGES SENIOR OFFICERS TO STRATEGIZE SECTOR ADVANCEMENT The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Steel Development, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu addressing Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors and GL14 Officers of the Ministry in a meeting held on Friday, 9th May 2025. He remarked that the meeting was to deliberate, strategize and align efforts towards ensuring the advancement of the sector.  Dr. Chris noted that the officers on these Grade Levels are the "Engine Room" of the Ministry and encouraged them to continue to put in their very best as always.  The Permanent Secretary  reiterated his commitment to providing the necessary support and resources to drive the Ministry and steel sector forward as well as emphasized the urgency of delivering on tasks and called for a renewed sense of purpose and dedication. He enjoined the officers on these Grade Levels to become the backbone of their departments.  The meeting concluded with a commitment to maintain open communication and work collaboratively towards achieving the set objectives.