As part of renewed efforts to revitalise Nigeria’s industrial sector, the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Mr. Joseph Tegbe, recently paid a working visit to the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) for an on-the-spot assessment of the facility’s current state and operational assets.
The visit comes ahead of the impending arrival of Chinese technical partners and potential investors, following high-level engagements with leading steel manufacturers during a recent investment mission to China. The goal of the visit was to review the status of critical assets and infrastructure in preparation for comprehensive technical assessments that will inform strategic investment decisions.
Mr. Tegbe was warmly received by the Managing Director of Ajaokuta Steel Company, Prof. Nasir Na’eem Abdulsalam, who led the NCSP delegation on a guided tour of the plant. Key installations inspected included the blast furnace complex, the dedicated thermal power plant, and other core and ancillary components of the steel plant’s vast infrastructure.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Tegbe reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition Ajaokuta as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial and economic transformation.
“This facility represents not just steel production, but the promise of jobs, industrial value chains, and national pride. What we are doing is laying the groundwork for sustainable, private-sector-driven investment that will finally bring Ajaokuta to life,” Mr. Tegbe said.
He emphasized that the NCSP is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Steel Development and management of Ajaokuta Steel Complex to ensure that all engagements with foreign partners translate into tangible outcomes for Nigeria’s re-industrialization.
The Ajaokuta visit marks a key milestone in ongoing efforts to convert Nigeria’s bilateral partnerships into transformative investments. With technical teams from China expected to arrive in the coming weeks, stakeholders remain optimistic about the prospects of finally unlocking the full potential of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
