By Fatima Saka
Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Steel Development, is set to host the maiden National Steel Summit from July 16 to 17, 2025, at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja.
The landmark summit is aimed at reviving Nigeria’s steel industry and repositioning it as a cornerstone of the nation’s industrialization and economic development agenda.
Speaking at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, said the summit, themed “Rebuilding and Consolidating Nigeria’s Steel Industry: Collaborative Action for Sustainable Growth and Global Competitiveness,” will be declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
According to the Minister that the event will bring together key stakeholders from across the public and private sectors including policymakers, donor agencies, academia, industrialists, financial institutions, artisans, and international partners to assess the current state of the industry and forge a consensus on the way forward.
“This is a pivotal moment in our national quest to rebuild the steel sector. The summit will provide a platform for inclusive dialogue, investment promotion, policy alignment, and capacity building. We are committed to unlocking the full potential of the steel industry to serve critical sectors of the Nigerian economy,” said Prince Audu.
Highlighting the administration’s ongoing reforms, the minister disclosed that Nigeria currently spends over $4 billion annually on steel imports. The government’s priority, he said, is to boost local production through the utilization of abundant domestic raw materials, the enforcement of regulatory standards, and the creation of an enabling environment for sustainable investments.
The minister highlighted key initiatives under President Tinubu’s administration include:
Revitalization of legacy steel assets such as Ajaokuta Steel Company, National Iron Ore Mining Company, Jos Steel Rolling Mill, and the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria.
Passage of strategic legislations including the Metallurgical Industry Bill, National Metallurgical Training Institute Bill, and National Steel Council Act Amendment.
New investments including:
$400 million by Stellar Steel Company Ltd. (Inner Galaxy Group) for a hot rolled coil/plate production facility.
$100 million galvanizing plant by Orbit Fabrication/Galvanising Works Ltd. (African Industries Group).
He added that the summit will feature technical sessions, exhibitions, panel discussions, and an executive parley. Discussions will address issues such as:
Resuscitation of moribund steel projects and legacy infrastructure;
Power and logistics bottlenecks affecting competitiveness;
Sustainable mining and raw material sourcing;
Workforce development and youth employment;
Legal frameworks for sectoral reform and investment protection.
A New Industrial Vision, the Minister emphasized that the steel sector is central to national development and vital to sectors like construction, automotive, defence, shipbuilding, aviation, oil and gas, telecommunications, agriculture, and equipment manufacturing.
In his remarks, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, emphasized that the summit aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration and presents a critical opportunity to showcase reform milestones and solicit stakeholder input.
“This summit is not just another policy talkshop. It is a clarion call to move from rhetoric to critical, collaborative, and progressive action. Our goal is to make Nigeria the steel hub of Sub-Saharan Africa and a key contributor to national GDP,” Dr. Isokpunwu added.
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As the Ministry prepares to welcome delegates, the Federal Government is urging the media, private sector, and civil society to rally behind the renewed drive to rebuild Nigeria’s steel industry as a catalyst for economic resilience, technological advancement, and job creation.
The summit will commence daily at 9:00 a.m. with participation from local and international stakeholders.
