From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, in his continuous efforts to revive the nation’s steel sector, has embarked on a high-level working visit to China in order to attract strategic investments and deepen industrial cooperation with key Chinese partners.
The delegation of the minister, which includes the Director General, Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Mr. Joseph Tegbe, and top-level officials from the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing, have held several strategic meetings with some of China’s largest and most influential steel conglomerates, including executives of Sino Steel (a member of Baowu Group), Fangda Steel Group and Jingye Steel Group.
In a statement released by the minister’s Media aide Lizzy Okoji,the crux of the meeting with the leading Chinese steel conglomerates is the revitalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, a key industrial asset considered critical to Nigeria’s manufacturing ambitions and job creation strategy.
Talks also centred around technical evaluations, operational modelling, and financing frameworks required to restore the facility to full productivity.
According to the Minister, the “Renewed Hope” administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR under his leadership at the Ministry of Steel Development is determined to revive Ajaokuta Steel Company before the end of the current administration.
Mr Tegbe also mentioned that “this strategic discussions underscores Nigeria’s commitment to forging transformative partnerships that align China’s industrial capabilities with our national development priorities”.