Industrialization is the Key to National Development – Ajaokuta Steel CEO/MD
By SILAS MEABE
Ajaokuta, Nigeria – The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ajaokuta Steel Company, Professor Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam, During 2025 National Steel Summit organised by the Federal Ministry Steel Development in NAFF CENTER ABUJA. He emphasized the critical role of industrialization in driving national development. Speaking in an interview with journalists, Professor Abdulsalam reiterated the importance of reviving Nigeria’s industrial base, particularly through the full activation of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.
“Development is all about industrialization, and industrialization is development,” he said. “No nation can attain sustainable economic growth without a solid industrial foundation.”
The Ajaokuta Steel Complex, often referred to as the "bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialization," has long been seen as a strategic asset for the country. However, decades of neglect, policy inconsistency, and funding challenges have left the facility largely dormant.
Professor Abdulsalam expressed optimism about renewed government interest and ongoing efforts to reposition the company as a catalyst for economic transformation. He noted that a functional steel industry would not only reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports but also create jobs, stimulate local manufacturing, and drive technological advancement.
“If fully operational, Ajaokuta Steel has the potential to transform Nigeria into a hub of industrial activity, supplying critical raw materials to various sectors including construction, automobile, shipbuilding, and even defense,” he added.
He called for a unified approach involving public and private stakeholders to prioritize industrialization as a national agenda, insisting that no meaningful development can be achieved without it.
The renewed focus on Ajaokuta Steel aligns with broader economic diversification efforts aimed at reducing Nigeria’s reliance on crude oil revenues and enhancing self-sufficiency in critical sectors.
