A vibrant steel industry has been described as the foundation of a truly industrialised Nigeria.
Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo, Kogi State Executive Governor, made the disclosure in a goodwill message he delivered at the opening of National Steel Summit, held at NAF Centre Abuja.
Gov. Ododo was represented at the occasion by the State Solid Minerals and Natural Resources Commissioner, Engr. Bashiru Gegu said vision, collaboration, and action can help transform the nation’s rich mineral endowment into a source of sustainable growth, jobs, and national pride.
Speaking on the Theme: “REBUILDING AND CONSOLIDATING NIGERIA’S STEEL INDUSTRY: COLLABORATIVE ACTION FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS”, Gov. Ododo express the State appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his commitment and workable diversification process into Solid Minerals sector and steel development.
Gov. Ododo commended the Honourable Minister and organisers of the stakeholders’ engagement.
Gov. Ododo described Kogi State as the Heartbeat of Nigeria’s Steel Potential, said the State is uniquely positioned in the national discourse.
He described the State as strategic and Home to the Ajaokuta Steel Company, rich deposits of iron ore in Itakpe, Agbaja, Agbado, Iwaa, Koton Karfe, Tajimi, Ebiya and an extensive network of ancillary mineral resources, said the state is the natural hub for Nigeria’s steel industrialisation drive.
According to Gov. Ododo, “The revitalisation of our steel industry is not just an economic imperative—it is a national security and industrial sovereignty necessity”.
“Kogi State is committed to creating an enabling environment for investors, facilitating responsible mining, and ensuring community participation through the Community Development Agreement (CDA) framework. We are ready to work hand-in-hand with the Federal Government, private investors, and international partners to reposition Nigeria as a global steel power house”.
On the Strategic Priorities for Sustainable Growth,
Gov. Ododo said “sustainable growth and global competitiveness will require:
• Revitalisation of Ajaokuta Steel through pragmatic partnerships that combine public oversight with private sector efficiency.
• Full integration of upstream and downstream activities, linking iron ore mining in Kogi to steel production and fabrication industries nationwide.
• Investment in supporting infrastructure—power, transportation, and industrial clusters—to ensure cost-effective production.
• Policy stability, political will and investor confidence through consistent legal frameworks and incentives.
• Human capital development for skilled technical manpower, ensuring Nigerian workers lead the steel revolution”.
Gov. Ododo called for collaborative efforts said: ” Our steel sector has suffered setbacks due to incomplete projects, policy inconsistencies, inadequate financing, infrastructure gaps, and global market pressures. These challenges cannot be overcome by government or private investors acting alone—only through robust collaboration between all stakeholders can we rebuild and consolidate this sector for sustainable growth”.