By Joy Odor
The Federal Government has dismissed speculations over the fate of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL), declaring that Nigeria remains firmly committed to reviving the long-dormant plant as a cornerstone of national industrialization.
In a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by Salamatu Jibaniya, the Head, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Steel Development, confirmed that a comprehensive technical and financial audit of the facility is currently underway.
The exercise, she said, is designed to provide a clear, data-driven basis for sustainable decisions that will reposition Nigeria’s steel sector for global competitiveness.
The Ministry recalled that the last audit conducted in 2018 rated Ajaokuta’s core infrastructure as “substantially in good condition,” though it recommended replacement of some ageing parts and the automation of manual control systems to enhance efficiency.
The fresh audit, according to the Ministry, will guide strategic reforms aimed at creating a modern steel industry that fuels Nigeria’s industrial growth, drives infrastructure development, and reduces reliance on imports.
“The Federal Government’s focus is clear to deliver a functional steel sector that powers industrialization, creates jobs, and strengthens the national economy,” the statement affirmed.
The move signals a renewed determination by the Tinubu administration to unlock Ajaokuta’s potential, long seen as the backbone of Nigeria’s quest for economic self-reliance and technological advancement.
