FG, Chinese Steel Giant Open Talks on Reviving Ajaokuta Steel Plant

FG, Chinese Steel Giant Open Talks on Reviving Ajaokuta Steel Plant

Abuja, Nigeria — In a renewed effort to reposition Nigeria’s steel industry, the Federal Government has begun high-level discussions with China’s Sino Steel, one of the world’s leading steel manufacturers, to chart a new path for the revival of the long-dormant Ajaokuta Steel Company.

The strategic meeting, held in Beijing, brought together the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, and the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Mr. Joseph Tegbe, alongside top executives of Sino Steel. Discussions centred on technical assessments, financial frameworks, and operational strategies needed to bring the multi-billion-dollar plant back to full-scale productivity.

Ajaokuta Steel, with an installed capacity of 1.9 million tonnes and the potential to scale up to 5 million tonnes annually, is widely regarded as a linchpin in Nigeria’s drive towards industrial self-reliance. Its revival is a major focus under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes industrial growth, infrastructure renewal, and enhanced local content.

Speaking after the meeting, NCSP DG Joseph Tegbe described the engagement as “strategic, technical, and action-oriented,” noting that it marked a turning point in aligning Nigeria’s industrial ambitions with China’s extensive experience in steel production and infrastructure development.

Sino Steel expressed strong interest in the project and announced plans to deploy a technical team to Nigeria in the coming weeks for an on-site viability assessment of the Ajaokuta facility. The company is expected to submit a detailed proposal outlining a phased modernization plan and operational roadmap.

Minister Audu reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering tangible results in the steel sector, stressing the importance of working with globally credible partners to unlock the full potential of Ajaokuta. “This administration is determined to move beyond rhetoric. Our goal is to establish a world-class steel industry that will power job creation, drive manufacturing and support Nigeria’s global competitiveness,” he said.

The engagement with Sino Steel is part of a broader series of high-level bilateral interactions between Nigeria and China, with the NCSP playing a key role in deepening cooperation in infrastructure, manufacturing, and industrial development. It also reflects the shared vision of Presidents Tinubu and Xi Jinping to build a robust strategic partnership between both countries.

Caption (L-R):
Prince Shuaibu Audu – Honourable Minister of Steel Development
Zhou Linan – Assistant General Manager, Sino Steel
Mr. Joseph Tegbe – Director-General, NCSP
Wang Siqi – Deputy General Manager, Global Marketing Department, Sino Steel
Adedeji Adegun – Head, Project Management, NCSP