In a renewed effort to revitalise Nigeria’s struggling steel industry, a high-level delegation led by the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe, and the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, has met with top executives of Sino Steel, one of China’s largest steel conglomerates.
The strategic meeting focused on the long-delayed revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, a key industrial asset viewed as central to Nigeria’s manufacturing ambitions and job creation drive.
Discussions centred on technical assessments, operational frameworks, and financing models necessary to restore the plant to full capacity.
Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government has prioritised industrialisation, infrastructure development, and increased local content.
Ajaokuta Steel Company, with an installed capacity of 1.9 million tonnes and potential to scale up to 5 million tonnes annually, remains a critical part of this vision—particularly in supporting sectors such as automotive manufacturing, construction, and heavy machinery.
Speaking after the meeting, NCSP Director-General Joseph Tegbe described the talks as “strategic, technical, and action-oriented”, highlighting the alignment between Nigeria’s economic goals and China’s industrial expertise.
Sino Steel has indicated its readiness to deploy a technical team to Ajaokuta for an on-site viability assessment in the coming weeks.
The company is expected to submit a detailed proposal outlining a phased plan for modernisation and operational optimisation of the plant.
Minister Audu reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to unlocking Ajaokuta’s full potential, stressing the need to partner with credible international players.
He said the Tinubu administration is determined to move beyond rhetoric and deliver a robust steel sector capable of driving national industrial growth and enhancing global competitiveness.
This development follows a series of high-level engagements between Nigerian and Chinese officials, with the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership playing a pivotal role in advancing cooperation across infrastructure, manufacturing, and industrial sectors — in line with the shared visions of Presidents Tinubu and Xi Jinping.
