By joshua KOCCIMA PRESIDENT UNVEILS 16-POINT ROADMAP TO REVIVE AJAOKUTA STEEL AS AFRICA’S INDUSTRIAL GIANT
…. “Ajaokuta is Nigeria’s missing link to industrialization” Dr. Akerejola Damiloye
The President of Kogi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, KOCCIMA, Dr. Akerejola Damiloye, has presented a 16-point strategic roadmap to transform Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited into a productive, functional, and world-class industrial complex.
Dr. Damiloye made the presentation while hosting the Special Adviser on Federal Projects, Chief Obasi Emmanuel I. Obasi, JP, during a scheduled visit to the KOCCIMA Secretariat in Lokoja. He described Ajaokuta as “Nigeria’s most strategic industrialization project and the missing link in the nation’s quest for economic diversification, industrial self-reliance, job creation, and global competitiveness.”
The KOCCIMA President urged the Federal Government to place Ajaokuta under a special Presidential Industrial Transformation Framework with clear milestones. “Ajaokuta is too strategic to be subjected to routine bureaucracy. Successful industrial nations treat steel as a strategic national asset,” he said. He added that the project cuts across mining, manufacturing, defence, construction, transportation, energy, and agriculture.
After over four decades of audits and negotiations, Dr. Damiloye called for a shift to a “Fix, Test, Produce, Expand” approach. “We must move from endless studies to immediate action. Early production will generate revenue and restore investor confidence,” he stressed.
He recommended bringing in globally reputable steel manufacturers through a transparent Public-Private Partnership, with government focusing on policy while private operators drive efficiency. Beyond steel, KOCCIMA wants Ajaokuta developed into “Africa’s largest industrial city” with automotive manufacturing, heavy machinery assembly, agricultural equipment production, fabrication parks, and petrochemical support industries.
The roadmap insists on dedicated captive power from gas, solar, and embedded generation, plus completion of the Itakpe–Ajaokuta–Warri rail corridor, inland dry ports, and river transport. _“Steel cannot survive on unreliable electricity, and competitiveness depends on efficient logistics,”_ Dr. Damiloye noted.
Other key recommendations include: integrating Itakpe Iron Ore Mining Company with Ajaokuta for secure raw materials; creating an Ajaokuta Industrial Free Zone with tax holidays and duty waivers; adopting Industry 4.0 technologies like AI, robotics, and automation; mandating government procurement of Nigerian steel; establishing a National Steel Development Fund; building a Steel Technology and Innovation Hub with universities; and training thousands of youths in welding, fabrication, and metallurgy.
To guarantee execution, KOCCIMA proposed an independent board with performance contracts, transparent procurement, and a Presidential Ajaokuta Delivery Unit to track progress weekly. Dr. Damiloye also called for positioning Ajaokuta as West Africa’s steel export hub for ECOWAS, Central, and North Africa.
“The revival of Ajaokuta Steel is not about restoring an abandoned factory; it is about rebuilding Nigeria’s industrial future. A productive Ajaokuta will create hundreds of thousands of jobs and stimulate mining, manufacturing, agriculture, housing, and defence production. KOCCIMA urges government to move decisively from planning to production,” he declared.
KOCCIMA’s 3 Key Calls to Action includes;
1. Commence phased steel production within the shortest possible time
2. Attract world-class strategic investors through a transparent PPP framework
3. Develop Ajaokuta into an integrated industrial city and manufacturing capital of West Africa
Chief Obasi Emmanuel Obasi, JP, received the recommendations on behalf of the State Government.
Find below the full text of the KOCCIMA President’s presentation.
KOCCIMA PRESIDENT’S STRATEGIC ADVICE ON THE EARLY REVIVAL AND TRANSFORMATION OF AJAOKUTA STEEL COMPANY INTO A PRODUCTIVE, FUNCTIONAL AND WORLD-CLASS INDUSTRIAL GIANT
As President of the Kogi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KOCCIMA), the umbrella body of the Organized Private Sector in Kogi State, I commend the renewed commitment of the Federal Government towards the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited. The successful resuscitation of Ajaokuta is not merely a steel project; it is Nigeria’s most strategic industrialization project and the missing link in the nation’s quest for economic diversification, industrial self-reliance, job creation, and global competitiveness.
The following recommendations are critical for the rapid transformation of Ajaokuta into a productive, functional, and world-class industrial giant.
1. Treat Ajaokuta as a National Strategic Industrial Priority
Recommendation
Place Ajaokuta under a special Presidential Industrial Transformation Framework with clearly defined milestones and timelines.
Why It Matters.
Ajaokuta is too strategic to be subjected to routine bureaucracy.
Successful industrial nations treat steel as a strategic national asset.
The project affects mining, manufacturing, defence, construction, transportation, energy, and agriculture.
Expected Result
Faster decision-making.
Improved accountability.
Accelerated implementation.
2. Move from Endless Studies to Immediate Action
Recommendation
Adopt a “Fix, Test, Produce, Expand” approach rather than waiting for complete modernization before production begins.
Justification.
For over four decades, Nigeria has conducted studies, reviews, audits, and negotiations while the assets continue to depreciate.
Expected Result.
Early production commencement.
Revenue generation.
Investor confidence.
3. Establish a World-Class Public-Private Partnership Structure
Recommendation
Bring in globally reputable steel manufacturers and industrial investors as strategic partners.
Why
Government ownership should focus on policy, regulation, and strategic oversight while private operators drive efficiency.
Benefits.
Modern management systems.
Access to technology.
Increased productivity.
Reduced political interference.
4. Develop Ajaokuta into Africa’s Largest Industrial City
Recommendation
Expand the vision beyond steel production.
Include
Automotive manufacturing
Heavy machinery assembly
Agricultural equipment production
Industrial fabrication parks
Engineering service companies
Petrochemical support industries
Benefits
Multiple revenue streams.
Large-scale industrialization.
Sustainable economic growth.
5. Secure Dedicated Industrial Power Infrastructure
Recommendation
Develop an independent captive power ecosystem exclusively for Ajaokuta and adjoining industrial clusters.
Reason
Steel production cannot survive on unreliable electricity.
Suggested Sources
Natural gas
Solar power integration
Embedded generation systems
Expected Outcome
Competitive production costs.
Reliable operations.
Global competitiveness.
6. Fully Integrate Itakpe Iron Ore Operations with Ajaokuta
Recommendation.
Synchronize operations between:
National Iron Ore Mining Company
Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited
Why
A steel plant without secure raw material supply remains vulnerable.
Benefits
Reduced import dependence.
Lower production costs.
Strengthened local value chains.
7. Prioritize Completion of Rail and Logistics Infrastructure
Recommendation
Strengthen:
Itakpe–Ajaokuta–Warri rail corridor
Inland dry ports
River transportation systems
Industrial highways
Why
Steel competitiveness depends on efficient logistics.
Benefits
Reduced transportation costs.
Improved export capacity.
Better supply chain management.
8. Create an Ajaokuta Industrial Free Zone
Recommendation
Establish a special industrial and export processing zone around Ajaokuta.
Incentives
Tax holidays
Duty waivers
Simplified regulations
Infrastructure support
Expected Benefits
Attraction of global investors.
Increased manufacturing activities.
Massive job creation.
9. Adopt Modern Steel Manufacturing Technologies
Recommendation
Upgrade facilities to meet Industry 4.0 standards.
Include
Artificial Intelligence
Robotics
Automation
Digital process control
Smart maintenance systems
Why
Competing globally requires world-class technology.
Benefits
Increased efficiency.
Reduced waste.
Improved product quality.
10. Guarantee Local Patronage Through Government
Procurement Policies
Recommendation
Mandate the use of Nigerian steel in:
Roads
Bridges
Railways
Housing projects
Defence infrastructure
Oil and gas projects
Why
A guaranteed domestic market attracts investment.
Expected Outcome
Stable demand.
Increased production.
Sustainable operations.
11. Establish a National Steel Development Fund
Recommendation
Create a dedicated financing mechanism.
Sources
Sovereign funds
Pension funds
Infrastructure funds
Development finance institutions
International investors
Benefits
Long-term capital availability.
Reduced funding disruptions.
Sustainable expansion.
12. Build a Steel Technology and Innovation Hub
Recommendation
Establish partnerships with:
Universities
Polytechnics
Research institutes
International steel technology centres
Focus Areas
Metallurgy
Materials science
Industrial engineering
Product development
Benefits
Innovation-driven growth.
Local technology development.
Reduced dependence on foreign expertise.
13. Launch a Massive Human Capital Development Programme
Recommendation
Train and certify thousands of Nigerian youths in:
Welding
Fabrication
Mechanical maintenance
Automation
Metallurgy
Industrial operations
Benefits
Job creation.
Skilled workforce availability.
Reduced expatriate dependence.
14. Strengthen Governance and Eliminate Political Interference
Recommendation
Adopt private-sector governance standards.
Measures
Independent board.
Performance contracts.
Transparent procurement.
Annual public reporting.
Benefits
Investor confidence.
Operational efficiency.
Sustainable growth.
15. Position Ajaokuta as West Africa’s Steel Hub
Recommendation
Develop a regional export strategy targeting:
Economic Community of West African States member states
Central Africa
North Africa
Why
Nigeria’s domestic market alone can support large-scale production, while regional markets provide expansion opportunities.
Benefits
Foreign exchange earnings.
Increased industrial output.
Regional economic leadership.
16. Establish a Presidential Ajaokuta Delivery Unit
Recommendation
Create a high-level implementation task force comprising:
Federal Government
Kogi State Government
Organized Private Sector
Investors
Technical experts
Labour representatives
Purpose
Track implementation weekly and remove bottlenecks immediately.
Benefits
Faster execution.
Strong coordination.
Measurable results.
KOCCIMA’S NEWS-WORTHY POSITION
“The revival of Ajaokuta Steel is not about restoring an abandoned factory; it is about rebuilding Nigeria’s industrial future. A productive and world-class Ajaokuta Steel Complex will create hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, stimulate mining, manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, housing, defence production, and technology transfer. KOCCIMA therefore urges the Federal Government to move decisively from planning to production and from aspiration to industrial transformation. A functional Ajaokuta can become the industrial heartbeat of Nigeria and the largest steel-driven economic ecosystem in Africa.”
KOCCIMA’S THREE KEY CALLS TO ACTION
Commence phased steel production within the shortest possible time.
Attract world-class strategic investors and operators through a transparent PPP framework.
Develop Ajaokuta into an integrated industrial city and the manufacturing capital of West Africa.
These actions will transform Ajaokuta from a dormant national asset into a globally competitive industrial giant capable of driving Nigeria’s economic renaissance for generations.
Dr. Akerejola Damiloye is the President of KOCCIMA.