The Federal Government has dismissed recent media reports suggesting that the Ajaokuta Steel Company is in poor condition, insisting that the plant remains in good shape.
This clarification was made in a statement released Thursday by Salamatu Jibaniya, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Steel Development.
The statement partly read, “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Steel Development has been drawn to recent media reports regarding the future of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.
“While we note the concerns expressed, it is important to state that the Federal Government remains firmly committed to the development of Nigeria’s steel sector, including the resuscitation of ASCL.
“A comprehensive technical and financial audit of the plant is presently underway to ensure that any decision taken is transparent, data-driven and in the best interest of Nigeria.
“The overall assessment of the previous technical audit report dated 2018 maintained that the general status of the Steel Plant is in robust condition except for normal deterioration of replaceable parts and recommended automation of manual control systems for improved efficiency.”
Reaffirming the government’s position, the ministry emphasized that it is optimistic about the outcome of the ongoing review.
The statement stated, “The ministry remains confident that the updated audit will provide a sound basis for decisive action that advances Nigeria’s industrial aspirations.”
President of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has declared that the long-abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Complex may never become operational, arguing that rapid global technological progress has rendered the project obsolete.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, the billionaire industrialist emphasized that no country can achieve sustainable growth without a strong steel sector, but expressed doubt about Ajaokuta’s future.
“The truth is, we’ll explore opportunities in steel production because every nation needs it to develop. But let’s be frank—Ajaokuta cannot work. We can continue to fool ourselves or hold on emotionally, but the reality is that it’s no longer feasible,” Dangote stated.
