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Tag: Ajaokuta

  • ‘Ajaokuta Economic City new era in Kogi’

    ‘Ajaokuta Economic City new era in Kogi’

    Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, yesterday unveiled Ajaokuta Economic City, Kogi – Human Free Trade Zone, describing it as a most ambitious economic project in Nigeria.

    Speaking at the ceremony and news conference in Abuja, the governor said the project signals beginning of a new economic era for the state, with the potential to redefine its role in national and global commerce.

    Ododo said the approval and recognition zone followed rigorous technical assessments, intergovernmental engagements, and months of strategic consultations with investors and development partners from China.

    “This is the birth of a new economic engine that will power job creation, industrialisation, global trade integration, and technological advancement for our people,” he said.

    The governor lauded President Bola Tinubu for approving the project, describing the President’s support as a strong vote of confidence in Kogi as a strategic industrial hub.

    “Mr. President’s approval shows his commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and his belief in Kogi’s role in Nigeria’s industrial future,” he said.

    He thanked Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, NACCIMA, NEZA, Central Bank, IRS Group, and partners for providing technical backing and believing in the vision.

    Ododo paid tribute to the people for their trust and support, promising that his administration will pursue policies that expand development and economic opportunity.

    He said Kogi’s position as “connecting heart of Nigeria” gives it edge, with Ajaokuta hosting the largest steel complex in Africa by design and Lokoja housing the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue.

    “These natural and strategic advantages make Kogi not just the right location for this zone, but the best,” he said.

    The governor assured investors that the state has strengthened intelligence gathering, surveillance, and collaborations with security agencies to ensure the Economic City operates in a secure environment.

    Ododo added that the Free Trade Zone will open opportunities in large-scale manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics, technology, and innovation. He said the state’s higher institutions—including Federal University Lokoja, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and Confluence University of Science and Technology—will support the zone through research, skills development, and innovation.

    Chief Economic Adviser to the governor, Salami Inda, said Ajaokuta Economic City, Kogi–Hunan Free Trade Zone, was developed through a fastest planning and documentation processes ever recorded for such a project in Nigeria.

    Inda said this is a product of Ododo’s insistence the state’s natural and economic endowments must translate into prosperity for the people.

    He noted that Kogi’s 32-year development plan, launched a day earlier, is anchored on industrialisation, making the zone a flagship initiative.

    Inda revealed that the state completed its master plan, feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and secured a 4,000-hectare Certificate of Occupancy within six months—an effort he said NEPZA commended as the fastest they had ever processed. “This was possible because the governor gave us every support required to succeed,” he said.

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    He added that Ododo personally led engagements with development partners, resulting in multiple high-level exchanges between Kogi officials and authorities in China’s Hunan Province, chosen for its similar economic profile and expertise.

    According to him, Ajaokuta was strategically selected as the site due to its access to gas pipelines, rail lines, road networks, an airstrip, and the river port, making it ideal for the state’s industrial ambitions.

    With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval already secured, Inda said the project has now entered the execution phase. “The heavy lifting for the first phase is done. We are now moving into implementation, backed by a leader whose passion ensures this project will succeed,” he said.

    He described the unveiling of the Economic City as a major step in Kogi State’s drive toward industrial transformation.

    “The Ajaokuta Economic City project is now a reality,” he declared. “Today’s ceremony is simply to present it to the world.”

    Leader of the Chinese technical and investment delegation, Mr. Li Zhensheng, described the newly unveiled Kogi–Hunan Free Trade Zone in Ajaokuta as a project with the potential to become Nigeria’s “Shenzhen moment,” capable of transforming Kogi State into a benchmark for national economic growth.

     Mr. Li said he was inspired by the progress already achieved under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and expressed confidence that the zone would reshape the state’s economic future.

    He compared the emerging industrial hub to Shenzhen, China’s pioneering Special Economic Zone, which spearheaded the country’s economic rise. “The Kogi–Hunan Free Trade Zone is moving forward on a similar path,” he said. “It will become a new engine for Kogi State and a leader in Nigeria’s economic transformation.”

    Mr. Li praised Kogi State for securing two major breakthroughs in record time: establishing the free trade zone from scratch and forming a sister-city relationship with Zhuzhou, Hunan Province. He said the pace of progress “even surpassed the well-known ‘China Speed’,” crediting it to Governor Ododo’s leadership, commitment, and strategic foresight.

    He acknowledged the support of both the Nigerian and Chinese governments, global investors, and technical partners, noting that their collective commitment had laid a strong foundation for the project. He singled out the CPC Zhuzhou Municipal Government for pledging to bring high-end manufacturing, green energy, logistics, automotive, electronics, fashion, ceramics, and educational development into the zone.

    Mr. Li said his team would work with the state and partners to establish a Free Trade Zone Management Committee to ensure seamless planning, funding, security, project execution, and investment promotion. He promised adherence to global standards to attract high-quality industries and talents.

    Expressing gratitude to the governor and residents of Kogi State for their trust, he said the Chinese delegation remained committed to helping the zone evolve into a hub of industry, innovation, and prosperity.

    “I look forward to this place becoming a land of industrial agglomeration, openness, and people’s happiness,” he said. “Kogi State’s tomorrow will be more prosperous, and China–Nigeria cooperation will continue to deliver results that benefit both nations.”

  • Fed Govt wins N4b, €185,733,496 in Ajaokuta contract dispute with French firm

    Fed Govt wins N4b, €185,733,496 in Ajaokuta contract dispute with French firm

    The federal government has won an arbitral award which saved it N4billion and €185,733,496.00 in a dispute with French firm, Fougourolle SA and its joint venture, Fougerolle Nigeria Ltd.

    According to a statement issued on Friday by the media aide to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Kamarudeen Ogundele, the final arbitral award was issued on 11th November 2025 by a tribunal constituted under the auspices of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre of the Federal High Court.

    Ogundele, who said Fagbemi was delighted about the development, said “the claimant – Fougerolle V Fougerolle – initiated the arbitration vide a notice of arbitration dated 12th December, 2022, about 18 years after the subject contract was terminated by the claimant on 30th January, 2004.

    “The case relates to a contract dated 31st March, 1981, between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a joint venture of Fougerolle Nigeria Ltd and Fougourolle SA (a French company), for the construction of civil works in the Iron and Steel Complex at Ajaokuta in Kwara [now Kogi] State.

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    “Contrary to contract terms and Fougerolle’s undertaking, Fougerolle moved the tribunal to compel additional payment of unverified and uncertified sums of N3,846,098,403.00 (Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Forty-Six Million and Ninety-Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Three Naira) and €185,733,496.00 (One Hundred and Eighty-Five Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety-Six Euros).

    “Previously, the Federal Government engaged Messrs Price WaterCooperhouse to verify any indebtedness due to Fougerolle after terminating the contract.

    “This led to the payment of N3,894,600,000.00 to Fougerolle vide FGN Bonds on 11th September, 2006. Fougerolle signed an indemnity on 8th September 2006, accepting the above sum as full and final settlement.

    “However, over 16 years later, Fougerolle brought the instant claim.

    “The tribunal upheld the Federal Government’s preliminary objection challenging the competence of Fougerolle’s phantom claims principally on grounds of being statute-barred, non-disclosure of reasonable cause of action as FGN bonds coupled with Fougerolle’s indemnity extinguished the debt, and absence of a competent claimant.

    “Notwithstanding, the tribunal considered Fougerolle’s claim on the merits and held that Fougerolle failed to establish its case and had, indeed, waived all its rights to any other claim against the Federal Government, because the payment made via FGN Bonds discharged the contractual obligation between the parties.

    “The tribunal rejected Fougerolle’s expropriation claim and the claim that it issued the indemnity under duress.

    “The entire case was eventually dismissed, thereby saving FGN of over N4 billion in liabilities.

    “The case was defended by officers of the Federal Ministry of Justice in furtherance of the Attorney-General of the Federation’s commitment to boosting the capacity of ministry officials to defend sensitive litigation and ADR matters in protecting FGN’s interest.

    “This decision also underscores the current administration’s determination to challenge all predatory and opportunistic claims against Nigeria, while also emphasizing the government’s policy to promote ADR as a dispute resolution mechanism.”

  • Tinubu will ensure Ajaokuta takes off before first term ends – Audu

    Tinubu will ensure Ajaokuta takes off before first term ends – Audu

    In a deft move to ensure that Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State finally comes on stream before the end of the first term of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu has embarked on investors drive to China. 

    A statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji in Abuja on Friday said the Minister aassured major Chinese investors and key players in steel industry in Beijing during a working visit to China of President Tinubu’s resolve to ensure the plant is fully functional before the end of his administration. 

    He assured the Chinese investors of the President’s determination to put the steel plant into full operational as part of his administration’s industrialization policy.

    The minister was quoted in all the talks that the “Renewed Hope administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR under his leadership at the Ministry of Steel Development is determined to revive Ajaokuta Steel Company before the end of the current administration.”

    The Minister, at various fora during the visit, highlighted various policies being put in place to reposition the in order to attract strategic investments and deepen industrial cooperation with key Chinese partners. 

    According to the statement, the crux of the meetings with the leading Chinese steel conglomerates is the revitalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, a key industrial asset considered critical to Nigeria’s manufacturing ambitions and job creation strategy. 

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    Talks were also centered around technical evaluations, operational modeling, and financing frameworks required to restore the facility to full productivity.

    The delegation of the minister, which included the Director General, Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Mr. Joseph Tegbe, and top-level officials from the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing, held several strategic with some of China’s largest and most influential steel conglomerates, including executives of Sino Steel (a member of Baowu Group), Fangda Steel Group and Jingye Steel Group.

    In an overview of the visit, the director general of NCSP, Mr. Tegbe noted that the strategic discussions in China underscored Nigeria’s commitment to forging transformative partnerships that align China’s industrial capabilities with our national development priorities.

  •  Ajaokuta and an aborted dream

     Ajaokuta and an aborted dream

    • By Ike Willie-Nwobu

    Sir: The Ajaokuta Steel Company is a multi-billion dollar steel company expected to be the bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialization. As a company and a metaphor for failure, the Ajaokuta Steel Company continues to defy Nigeria, defining with stark clarity the reason Nigeria has found it so difficult to properly kick off its industrialization.

    For every administration that comes into power, evoking the Ajaokuta Steel Company is a ritual and rhetoric. Every year, the government talks about reviving it to give Nigeria a spine for what it needs most: industrialization. Yet, nothing always happens.

    The latest to evoke Ajaokuta is Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman of National Agency for Science Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). According to him, reviving Ajaokuta is central to the government’s industrialization agenda, and it is top priority.

    A major reason Nigeria’s provision of adequate infrastructure for its citizens either stalls completely through the years or completely or being scandalously slow through the years is the general climate of confusion among those who make key decisions. Key questions like what projects to embark on, how to fund them, and whether they are sustainable eventually don’t usually receive the brainstorming they deserve resulting in poor decisions.

     There is also the problem of corruption which typically sees funds for projects embezzled or diverted, resulting in no work done, or shoddy jobs at best.

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    A source of constant irritation and frustration for Nigerians in this is that Nigeria is not without models, exemplary countries that are exemplars it can look up to.

    Countries like Singapore and Malaysia have shown what single-minded, visionary leadership can do. It is gravely concerning that Nigeria, typically so eager to copy nebulous ideas from other countries, is reluctant to imitate some of the countries pushing in the right direction despite backbreaking challenges.

    While the Ajaokuta Steel Company lies moribund, calamitously dragging the country down the precipitous path of underdevelopment and stagnation, many young people who would be gainfully employed were the company churning out gains are drowning in the sea of unemployment where the sharks of different crimes, including terrorism, are eager to swallow them whole.

    Nigeria has not seen requisite return on its investment in the Ajaokuta Steel Company. Many Nigerians have been born, lived, and died without enjoying any benefits from what is supposed to be a source of pride for Nigerians. This is simply unacceptable.

    The grinding poverty that continues to suffocate Nigerians cannot give way without industrialization. Steel is central to industrialization efforts. A country which speaks about industrialization and development while allowing its premier steel company to lie in ruins is one conjuring up national deceit and dissatisfaction.

    •Ike Willie-Nwobu,

    Ikewilly9@gmail.com

  • FG signs MOU with Russian firm to complete Ajaokuta steel coy

    FG signs MOU with Russian firm to complete Ajaokuta steel coy

    The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Russian firm, Tyazhpromexport (TPE), the original builders of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, and members of its consortium in Moscow.

    The move is part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to resuscitate the steel company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) in order to boost industrialisation in the country.

    The MoU was signed by the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, who led the Federal Government’s delegation, and the General Director of TPE, Mr Egorov Sergei Anatolevich, along with other members of the Russian consortium.

    This was made known in a statement by Salamatu Jibaniya, the Head of the Press and Public Relations Department of the ministry, on Friday in Abuja.

    The Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd. (ASCL), located in Kogi, was established in 1979 by the government of President Shehu Shagari to drive Nigeria’s modernity through industrialisation.

     Jibaniya said that TPE and members of its consortium, comprising Novostal-M and Proforce Manufacturing Limited, were engaged for the rehabilitation, completion, and operation of the steel plant and NIOMCO, all located in Kogi.

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    She quoted the minister, describing the move as crucial and a bold step toward creating a sustainable foundation to achieve the industrialisation of Nigeria’s economy.

     “The revival of the steel sector will also reduce importation of steel products into Nigeria, which is estimated at over four billion dollars annually, and will help save scarce foreign exchange,” he said.

    According to the Jibaniya, the Nigerian delegation during the visit also inspected the facilities of Novostal-M, located in Balakovo in the Saratov region, and the private port facility of the company.

     A TPE team visited the Ajaokuta Steel Plant and NIOMCO in August for a preliminary inspection, which led to the invitation to Moscow for the signing of the MoU.

     The resuscitation of both the steel company and NIOMCO is expected to create more than 500,000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians.

    The move is also crucial to achieving President Tinubu’s desire to grow the Nigerian economy to more than one trillion dollars by 2030.

  • Ajaokuta: Tinubu’s administration secures return of original builders – Minister

    Ajaokuta: Tinubu’s administration secures return of original builders – Minister

    ..Says efforts on to secure N35b to revive steel production

    The federal government on Thursday, May 23, rekindled the hope of completing the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

    The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu said the government has been able to secure the agreement with the original builder of Ajaokuta Steel Company to return to complete the project.

    Audu said they are ready to put down $2 billion needed to fund the project which has been in comatose in the last 40 years.

    He spoke in Abuja at the special Sectoral briefings to mark the first year of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    He also said that the administration is working hard to ensure that Ajaokuta is back.

    “We have initiated a discussion with the original builders of the steel plant to come back to complete the job.

    To complete that we need about $2 billion based on estimates.

    He said: “The original builder has shown willingness and desire to help us complete the project bringing in the funding and using a structure that will be acceptable.”

    He also said that there are lots of reserve bidders in the wings that have also shown interest, including the Chinese, Arab and Indian companies.

    He said some Nigerian-owned companies are also interested.

    The minister added that the consortium that the Russian company is leading also includes Nigerian companies and so we are factoring in local content in the entire conversation.

    So that is a very important component that we are trying to resolve.

    Audu noted that the revival of the moribund Steel company has been a major priority of the president on assumption of office, saying “This is very critical for the Renewed hope agenda of Mr President whose desire is to grow the economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria over one trillion by the end of the first term of this administration, thereby making us a G20 economy.”

    He added: “The steel sector will play an important role in ensuring that this administration achieved that.

    “So, we have started to put very concrete and immense measures in place to achieve that.

    “The first thing that we have done to achieve this is to obtain presidential approval to raise private capital to restart the line section of the Ajaokuta steel company.

    “We are at the final stages of raising over N35 billion from local financial institutions, which is around $25 million dollars to be able to restart the line section of the complex so that we can produce the iron ore.

    “The line section has the capacity to produce 400,000 metric tonnes of iron rods

    “I have been discussing closely with the Minister of Works, David Umahi so that we can provide iron rods.

    “Part of what we are doing, we know that the Ministry of Works needs about 7 million metric tonnes of iron over that four-year period.

    “Ajaokuta can produce 400,000 tonnes of rods, which is a drop in the ocean of what is required.

    Because it is an important asset, the President is keen on us getting Ajaokuta to work and getting some of these iron rods that are required by the federal government.

    “So this N35 billion we are raising will help us revive the light steel and up to 50,000 of iron rods.

    A financial institution has given us an offer, in which I have done a cover letter and forwarded the relevant documents to the Ministry of Finance to be able to take the financing on behalf of the Federal government using a promissory note so that it can get back to iron rod production. “

    He also said that the ministry is in talks with the military and the Minister of Defence on leasing one of the engineering workshops in Ajaokuta for the production of military hardware for the military to enhance our security situation.

    “So what is required is, we have a metrological development centre that has the ability to provide us with the lead and zinc that is required to be able to produce some of these military hardware whether it be a vest, or helmets or bullets or other components.

    He said an MoU has been prepared for the working agreement and already dotting the Is and crossing the Ts to ensure that we can obtain the required financing.

    He also said the government has started to revive the Ajaokuta power plant. Ajaokuta has a 110-megawatt power plant that contributes power to not just the Ajaokuta steel complex but also to the National grid.

    Because of the lack of funding and resources, what we are doing now is to think outside the box and be innovative. So we are engaging in the PPP where the assets will be used as the collateral so to say and private sector investors can come in and give us the financing

    We are talking to three potential suitors right now, including Transcorp Power, Niger Delta Power. Those are the companies we are talking to ensure that the power line is back on track.

    He further revealed that the ministry is working towards creating industrial parks at Ajaokuta territory.

    He added: “There is a steel territory that occupies about 24,000 hectares of land, which is almost as big as the land of Abuja

    The idea, he said is to create an industrial park where all steel operators in Nigeria and the rest of Africa can converge.

    On the efforts towards reviving the steel industry, Audu said: “We have drafted an internal document that gives us a ten-year roadmap for the steel industry. We have also drafted an internal document that has produced a two-year document for the Revival of Ajaokuta Steel.

    So we have those two documents that have been produced, by our internal experts.

    He however said the process will be pushed further by testing it against what is obtainable in the Russian, Indian and Chinese markets.

    He said the government will need between $2 to $5 million to be able to be able to draft the road map and put all the leg work in place.

    Read Also: Ajaokuta: Nigeria imports $8bn steel yearly — Minister

    He said financing has been a challenge but the ministry was doing everything possible to think outside the box to put the measures in place.

    He also said that the ministry has engaged a Chinese steel producer and Indian steel company where they committed to bringing in about $5 million to set up five million metric tonnes of steel plants.

    He said another chinese firm has set $3million to set up about three million metric tonnes steel plant in Nigeria.

    He said there is already a commitment in the region of $10 million in investment.

    On regulation of scrap metals in Nigeria, the minister said that efforts are on enhancing  regulation.

    “We have engaged the scrap metals association of Nigeria so that we can.provide some regulatory oversight and overview of the scrap metal industry in Nigeria,” he added.

  • Ajaokuta: Nigeria imports $8bn steel yearly — Minister

    Ajaokuta: Nigeria imports $8bn steel yearly — Minister

    The Minister of Steel Development, Mr Shuaib Abubakar, says Nigeria spends $8 billion to import steel into the country annually, saying it has become necessary for the Ajaokuta steel company to work.

    The minister disclosed this during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Steel Development in Abuja on Thursday.

    According to him, the revival of Ajaokuta steel will cost money, and we have written a 10-year document for the revival. We will present the document to Mr President.

    Abubakar said that it was in his own interest for Ajaokuta Steel to work, adding that he was from Kogi State and must push for such interest.

    He said that the Federal Government paid $500 million dollars to terminate the concessional agreement with Ajaokuta, adding that the ministry was working very hard to find a solution for Ajaokuta Steel.

    “It is a problem that has persisted for 45 years. We have gone to China to come and invest in the steel company, including setting up a new plant, and we have gone to seek financing.

    He said that the challenges had changed as new technology had come up, and with innovation and discussion around it, but it had not been finalized.

    “Funding is a big challenge to the ministry of steel development. The steel industry will be the bedrock of industrialization if we have proper funding.

    “I am still at a stage where I need to find a solution for the Ajaokuta steel company.

    On the $2 billion being requested to receive the Moribund steel company, the minister said it was just a preliminary calculation, adding that the figure might not be up to that.

    According to him, this is an estimate that may not be accurate at the last decimal point. It is just a process that will allow us to arrive at the right destination.

    Read Also: Why Ajaokuta steel didn’t work, by ex-Kogi deputy governor

    “The president has asked me to find a solution to Ajaokuta, so the figure will change pending the outcome of the technical audit.

    “It’s clear to Nigeria that for this to happen, we need funding and all the help we can get from the two chambers; this is why we need it. I need all your support to make this a reality.”

    Rep. Zainab Gimba, the Chairman of the House Committee on Steel Development, urged the ministry to provide it with all the procurement processes and other responses demanded by the committee.

    The committee said that Ajaokuta had remained a nightmare to many, adding that now that the minister had accepted to supervise it, Nigeria expected more from him.

    (NAN)

  • Why Ajaokuta steel didn’t work, by ex-Kogi deputy governor

    Why Ajaokuta steel didn’t work, by ex-Kogi deputy governor

    Simon Achuba, the former deputy governor of Kogi, said that both human factors and international saboteurs have contributed to the deterioration of the Ajaokuta steel company.

    During an interview on AriseNews’ The Morning Show programme on Thursday, March 14, Achuba, who served as deputy governor under Yahaya Bello’s administration from 2016 to 2019, emphasized the viability of the Ajaokuta steel rolling mill.

    He attributed the failure of Ajaokuta to operate to the reluctance of certain stakeholders and saboteurs, particularly within Kogi.

    Speaking on the recent move by some traditional rulers in Kogi Central to stop the probe of Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company, the ex-Kogi Deputy Governor alleged that there’s a nexus between the Ajaokuta Kogi Nigeria Limited allegedly registered by Yahaya Bello to concession Ajaokuta in 2017 and the current move by the traditional rulers.

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    Addressing the recent attempt by some traditional rulers in Kogi Central to halt the investigation into the Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company, the former deputy governor implied a connection between the Ajaokuta Kogi Nigeria Limited allegedly registered for the concession of Ajaokuta in 2017, and the present actions of the traditional rulers.

    He said: “Somebody who knows about the $496 million paid by the federal government in September 2022 is using the traditional rulers to stop the truth from being unveiled.

    “Ajaokuta steel rolling mill is very viable, it’s not in the hinterland, Ajaokuta is by the Niger which is the biggest river in Nigeria. Transportation of its parts and all that is needed to and fro Ajaokuta is viable.

    “There are rail lines connected to Ajaokuta rolling mill, there’s nothing that makes it not viable. It’s the human behaviour and unwillingness of the actors and saboteurs, particularly in Kogi that has made Ajaokuta not work.

    He added: “The motion moved by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to probe Ajaokuta steel was in the right direction, and it’s what is needed to unveil the hidden things in Ajaokuta”.

    “I want to tell Nigerians, that in 2017, a memo came to the state executive council, on that memo was Ajaokuta Kogi Nigeria Ltd, a lot of members of the executive council were in support of giving Ajaokuta steel company to the Ajaokuta Kogi Nigeria Ltd to manage. I made two observations, I asked who sponsored the memo, and also asked what was the relationship between Ajaokuta Kogi Nigeria Ltd and the Kogi State government and how the memo found its way to the exco. Within minutes, the memo disappeared.

    He further added: “The Ajaokuta Kogi Nigeria Ltd is not for Kogi state, it’s the personal property of the former governor. As of today, the directors of this company are not Kogites, one of them is from Imo, Ikechukwu Onochie, and the other one is from Benue state, Emmanuel Anchaver.

    When asked if he made the allegations because he has an axe to grind with Yahaya Bello, Achuba said he believes the country should develop and those saddled with responsibility should act responsibly in the interest of the people of Nigeria and the people they govern.

    “Ajaokuta had problems before Yahaya Bello’s government that is true but the president then, Muhammadu Buhari came with great intention to get Ajaokuta revived, but what Bello brought in weakened that intention and that is exactly what is currently going on.

    “This is why I am calling on the Senate to go into the probe of the $496 million settlement to be sure of who and who got that money, was it a proceed of judgment or settlement out of court, who are the beneficiaries? Who and who benefitted from the money and why would some traditional rulers call to stop the probe for another money to be released and it would be embezzled again? Is that how to run a nation?”

  • Ajaokuta to begin production of military hardware

    Ajaokuta to begin production of military hardware

    The Federal Government has said Ajaokuta Steel complex in Kogi State will soon start the production of military hardware.

    The government said the ministries of Steel Development and Defence were set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the production of weaponry.

    Steel Development Minister Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, and the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, announced this after a joint meeting at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.

    In a statement by the Head Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Steel Development, Salamatu Jibaniya, the Steel Development Minister said the collaboration between both ministries would enable the country to realise President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of reviving the Ajaokuta Steel complex for several purposes, including military hardware.

    Audu said the Ajaokuta Steel complex has various engineering workshops with the capacity to produce hardware for the military under the Defence Industries Cooperation of Nigeria (DICON) Act.

    “Today, is a day that what we have all waited for under the Renewed Hope Agenda with the coming to fruition of a partnership between both ministries – the Ministry of Steel Development and the Ministry of Defence.

    “There are a number of things we have agreed on, including signing an MoU, so that DICON and Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited can partner to produce military hardware, such as rifles, vests, helmets, and bullets, among other things, in the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

    “Ajaokuta has the facility to also accommodate a military barracks. There are over 10,000 housing units in Ajaokuta, of which only 3,000 to 4,000 are occupied.

    “We will put together a quality Memorandum of Understanding that will be well implemented, and we are confident of the outcomes,” he said.

    Read Also: Ajaokuta to commence production of military hardware

    Matawalle said the agreement on the production of military hardware and a military industrial complex in Ajaokuta was in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    He assured Nigerians that the Ajaokuta Steel Complex would soon take off and operate at maximum capacity.

    The minister of state urged local partners to come on board to enable the complex achieve the current government’s aims of boosting local productions in various sectors.

    “Today, we have agreed on so many things, including the review of the MoU signed in 2020 between DICON and the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC), which would now be between both ministries (government to government).

    “Both permanent secretaries of the ministries will come up with a draft agreement, and we will have continuous and regular meetings so that great ideas can be put together in the agreement.”

  • Ajaokuta to commence production of military hardware

    Ajaokuta to commence production of military hardware

    The federal government has announced plans for the Ajaokuta steel complex to commence the production of military hardware.

    Steps have been taken to commence the process, with the Ministries of Steel Development and Defence poised to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for its implementation.

    The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, and the Minister of State, Defence, Bello Matawalle disclosed this after a meeting at the Ministry of Defence, Abuja.

    Head Press and Public Relations for the Ministry of Steel Development, Salamatu Jibaniya, made this known on Thursday, March 7, in a press statement.

    She added, “According to Prince Audu, the collaborations between both Ministries under his leadership and the Ministers of Defence will bring to fruition the vision of the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR geared at reviving the Ajaokuta Steel Complex for steel production for several purposes, including military hardware.

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    “The Minister of Steel Development said that the Ajaokuta Steel complex has various engineering workshops with the capacity to produce hardware for the military under the Defence Industries Cooperation of Nigeria (DICON) Act.

    “Today is a day that what we have all waited for under the renewed hope agenda with the coming to fruition of a partnership between both ministries, the Ministry of Steel Development and the Ministry of Defence.

    “There are a number of things we have agreed on, including signing an MoU so that DICON and Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited can partner to produce military hardwares such as rifles, vests, helmets, and bullets, among other things, in the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

    “Ajaokuta has the facility to also accommodate a military barracks. There are over 10,000 housing units in Ajaoukuta, of which only 3,000 to 4,000 are occupied.

    “We will put together a quality Memorandum of Understanding that will be well implemented, and we are confident of the outcomes.”

    She also stated: “In his remarks, the Minister of State, Defence, said that all that has been agreed upon for the production of military hardware and a Military Industrial Complex in Ajaokuta was in line with the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President.

    “Metawalle further assured Nigerians of the soon-to-be take-off of the Ajaokuta steel complex in maximum capacity, as he encouraged local partners to come on board.

    “Metawalle said that “today, we have agreed on so many things, including the review of the MoU signed in 2020 between DICON and the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC), which would now be between both ministries (government to government).

    “Both Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries will come up with a draft agreement, and we will have continuous and regular meetings so that great ideas can be put together in the agreement.”