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.

MINISTER OF STEEL DEVELOPMENT, PRINCE SHUAIBU ABUBAKAR AUDU, COMMISSIONS GALVANISING STEEL PLANT IN LAGOS …Hails African Industries Group for commitment to investing in the Nigerian steel sector. …Says President Tinubu committed to reviving Steel Sector before end of his Administration The Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, commissioned the Orbit Galvanising Steel Industries Limited and Orbit Fabrication Works Limited located in Lagos State, a milestone project under the African Industries Group (AIG), describing the project as a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s galvanising and steel fabrication sub-sector. The commissioning of the galvanised steel plant forms part of the Honourable Minister’s working visit to Lagos, where he is engaging with key private sector players in the steel industry, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to foster private sector participation in driving economic growth. Prince Audu commended the African Industries Group for its commitment to investing in the Nigerian steel sector to advance local manufacturing, create jobs, and economic sustainability which aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, noting that Orbit fabrication has the capacity to produce up to 50,000 metric tons of fabricated towers annually which brings the combined annual production capacity of all tower fabrication companies in nigeria to around 200,000 metric tons per annum. The Minister highlighted the administration’s proactive policies on local content, industrial expansion, and import substitution as key enablers to the success of the project, reiterating the commitment of the Federal Government to reviving the steel sector of the country before the end of the current administration. “This plant which is a pioneer achievement of the African Industries Group in the galvanising sub-sector, has further reinforced the group’s commitment to investing in the Nigerian steel sector with a focus on local manufacturing of different steel products through backward integration for the overall economic development of the country. “In recognition of the importance of galvanized steel products to multiple projects across different industries and the overall economic development of Nigeria, the Federal Government graciously granted concessionary import duties to importance of Galvenised steel products prior to the establishment of this plant. “One of the principal tasks before my ministry under the administration of his Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, is to create an enabling environment for local investments and ensure that there is a level playing field. “The commissioning of this project today is a testament to the efforts of the current administration to rejuvinate the steel sector of the Nigerian economy and i enjoin other prospective investors to emulate African Industries Group,” Prince Audu stated. Mr. Rajah Gupta, one of the Directors of AIG, speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Company, reaffirmed AIG’s long-standing commitment to Nigeria. He emphasized that AIG, which has operated in Nigeria for over 54 years, remains dedicated to positioning the country among the elite group of nations that produce and export crude steel. “We have made the largest non-oil foreign direct investment in Nigeria, specifically in the steel and mining sectors. To date, the Group has invested over $600 million in an iron-Ore mine for steel production in Gujeni, Kaduna State and is currently producing iron and steel from locally sourced iron ore. Very soon, we will begin exporting locally manufactured BRI (Basic Raw Iron) to other countries,” Mr. Gupta stated. He further explained that the company’s manufacturing strategy is driven by the goal of import substitution—transforming local raw materials into finished goods, thereby conserving foreign exchange for the nation. As part of his official engagements, the Honourable Minister paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Government, where he was warmly received by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat. During the visit, Prince Audu informed the Deputy Governor of his intention to tour steel facilities in the state to better understand the challenges faced by private sector players and explore ways the government can support them. “We are here to seek continued collaboration and support from the Lagos State Government. More importantly, we aim to work harmoniously with the state, considering that over 60% of private steel investors are based in the Lagos and Ogun axis. “This partnership is crucial, and I commend both you and the Executive Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for your dedication to implementing the Lagos State Development Plan. Lagos is not only a mega city, it is one of Africa’s top 5 economies and plays a pivotal role in Nigeria’s overall economic growth. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has laid a clear development blueprint for Lagos, and your administration has carried that vision forward with excellence,” Prince Audu said. In response, the Deputy Governor thanked the Minister for his visit and expressed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Federal Ministry, particularly in addressing the concerns of steel companies operating within the state.