Minister of Steel Development, Prince Abubakar Audu, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to revive the steel and metals sector.
The Minister, who diclosed this when he visited the African Natural Resources and Mines Limited (ANRML), Gujeni Village, Kagarko Local Government Area,  of Kaduna State, hailed the company for its investment in Nigeria and African Industries Group (AIG), the parent company for operating in the country since 1971.
The company’s investment  has contributed to the economic development of the country, noting that ANRML will play a significant role in the ongoing steel sector revival efforts of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also lauded ANRML for the 900-hectare Iron-Ore mining facility where they invested about $600 million for backward integration to facilitate the production of steel.
The Minister said the vision of the current administration is to ensure that all comatose steel plants become operational and for Nigeria to begin steel production before the end of the tenure of President Tinubu, reiterating his commitments to delivery of the vision of Mr. President.
He said: “It is very clear that this edifice exemplifies the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose plan is to grow the economy to over $1 trillion by 2030.
“Steel is the catalyst for industrialisation, and I commend the Africa Industries Group (AIG) for their important role in taking Nigeria to the next level.
”I am pleasantly surprised you have been doing business since 1971. I appreciate the Group for believing in the country and creating thousands of jobs, employing in excess of 10,000 staff members across the country.
”I am urging the company to invest more to meet our local demand for steel. 10 million metric tonnes are being imported into the country, so this company has a role to play in reversing that trend.
”The President is very serious about turning around the steel industry, including the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe. We have plans to build an industrial park in Ajaokuta that will house a Free Trade Zone and CNG park.
”We need more huge foreign direct investments to reduce pressures on FX and to help us create 80 million jobs in the country under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. So, thank you for making such a huge investment in Nigeria”, Prince Audu said.

Nigeria and China have signed a $3.3 billion agreement to develop a Brass Industrial Park and Methanol Complex.
It is a transformative project expected to significantly boost Nigeria’s industrial output and generate vital employment opportunities.
This follows a reaffirmation by both countries to commit to deepening economic ties and also enhancing bilateral cooperation at the first China-Nigeria Economic Cooperation and Trade Conference, which was held alongside the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Accordiing to a statement, the event was chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who underscored the significance of South-South cooperation, highlighting its pivotal role in Nigeria’s sustainable development goals.
As Chairman of the event, he also guided discussions that focused on critical areas of collaboration between the two nations.
A major focus of the discussions, according to the statement was Infrastructure development, which is a cornerstone of the China-Nigeria partnership.
Both nations reiterated their commitment to joint infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and energy systems, aimed at accelerating industrialisation and driving long-term economic growth in Nigeria.
There was also discussion on financial and security cooperation, with both countries agreeing to enhance intelligence sharing to combat money laundering and financial crimes.
This marked a critical step toward ensuring a secure and transparent financial environment, laying the groundwork for continued economic collaboration.
Ebun also highlighted President Tinubu’s economic reforms, designed to steer the country toward a sustainable growth path.

The Executive Secretary,  Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has praised the significant Nigerian Content strides achieved in the Nigeria LNG Ltd (NLNG) Train 7 Project.
Ogbe, who gave the commendation on Friday during a visit to the NLNG six-train plant, Train 7 Project construction site, and the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) training centre, Maritime Centre for Excellence (MCOE) in Finima, Bonny Island, Rivers State, emphasised the need for increased collaboration and advocacy for Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.
In his remarks, Ogbe highlighted how the Train 7 Project has significantly boosted local capacity through the production of ancillary components and accessories within Nigeria, saying this has contributed directly to the project’s successful execution.
He commended the recent Presidential Directives on Local Content implementation, which mandated that contracts in the oil and gas sector be awarded exclusively to local companies with proven in-country capabilities, as instrumental to the Train 7 project’s achievements.
“The accomplishments we’re witnessing today at the NLNG Train 7 Project are a testament to the NLNG’s unwavering commitment to Nigerian Content.
“This project stands as a beacon of what we can achieve when we prioritise our local industries and talents”, the Executive Secretary said.
The NCDMB’s scribe also lauded NLNG’s management for achieving 52 million man-hours on the Train 7 project with zero lost time injury (LTI), assuring that the Board will support handlers of the project to achieve everything they desire in their quest to accomplish the project for the overall development of Nigeria.
Similarly, Engr. Ogbe commended his predecessor, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, for what he called his immense contributions to the approval, take-off and success of the Train 7 project.
While commenting on the Maritime Centre for Excellence (MCOE), the NCDMB helmsman expressed delight that it is the first training centre in Africa to receive accreditation from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UK MCA) to deliver and issue certificates for the STCW 2010 Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) and Basic Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations courses.
The Tide learnt that the MCOE, a maritime training and research facility, aims to enhance maritime expertise in Nigeria and the entire West African region.
The MCOE, according to the Directorate of Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination of the Board, currently hosts a specialised training programme for marine services providers in the upstream oil and gas sector, with the support of NCDMB.
Also speaking, Managing Director/CEO of the NLNG,  Dr. Philip Mshelbila, represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Olakunle Osobu, lauded the NCDMB’s unwavering support for the Train 7 Project.
He described the partnership as a shining example of the public-private collaboration that can drive Nigeria’s industrial growth, emphasising that NLNG’s Nigerian Content deliverables showcases the power of strategic collaboration and capacity building, aligning with the NCDMB’s broader objectives and contributing to national development goals.
Mshelbila reiterated that Nigerian Content was not just a regulatory requirement for NLNG, but a core business strategy.
“We’re committed to going beyond compliance, embracing Nigerian Content as a fundamental part of our vision of helping to build a better Nigeria”, he said.
He highlighted the economic impact of the Train 7 Project, stating that the addition of Train 7 will expand Nigeria’s LNG production capacity from 22 Metric Tons (MT) to 30MT per annum, which he said will not only boost the nation’s economy by creating jobs and driving sustainable development, but also reinforce Nigeria’s position as a formidable player in the global energy market.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa