New MD Pledges Ajaokuta Steel Revival

The newly appointed managing director of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL), Prof. Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam, has pledged to work towards the realisation of the over four-decades-long-running steel plant project.

Prof Abdulsalam made this pledge when his appointment was formalised with the presentation of an official letter of appointment to the minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, during a ceremony held at the Minister’s office in Abuja on Monday.

The event witnessed the handover from the outgoing acting sole administrator, Engr. Kanwai Joseph.
The handover ceremony was an opportunity for the Minister to highlight the immense responsibility and expectations that lie ahead for the new chief executive.

Prince Audu expressed his full confidence in Prof. Abdulsalam, emphasizing that his leadership would be crucial to the realisation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which aims to revive the long-inactive Ajaokuta Steel Plant.

In his remarks, Prince Audu recognised the new MD’s extensive qualifications and experience. He noted that Prof. Abdulsalam, a seasoned academician and Professor of Geophysics, had been a key part of his team as a technical adviser, making him well-equipped to address the challenges of the steel sector.

The minister also acknowledged the outgoing Acting Sole Administrator, Engr. Joseph, praising his nearly 35 years of service, during which he worked his way up from an entry-level engineer to the role of Acting Sole Administrator over the past six months.

Prince Audu underscored the scale of the task ahead, making it clear that the revival of Ajaokuta Steel would require a collaborative, all-hands-on-deck approach.

“Reviving Ajaokuta Steel Plant is a collective project. It is not something the minister, permanent secretary, or managing director can achieve alone. All hands must be on deck as it requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders to realise Mr. President’s vision for the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Plant and the broader steel sector,” he stated.

Further detailing the path ahead, the Minister outlined the ongoing efforts to rejuvenate the steel sector, including signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in Moscow, Russia, last September.

This initiative and the forthcoming technical and financial audits of the Ajaokuta complex are expected to pave the way for privatisation processes that will bring in investors and suitors.

“I assure you that the revival of Ajaokuta Steel and the entire steel sector is well underway. Our role is to consolidate these gains and present viable options for Mr. President’s approval,” Prince Audu concluded, expressing his hope for a successful outcome under Prof. Abdulsalam’s leadership.

Dr. Chris Osa Isokponwu, permanent secretary of the ministry, also congratulated Prof. Abdulsalam, emphasizing the weight of the challenge ahead.

“It will not be easy; you are facing a challenge of over 45 years. The good news is that you have a minister who is fully committed to the success of Ajaokuta’s revival,” Dr. Isokponwu remarked.

In his response, Prof. Abdulsalam expressed deep gratitude for President Tinubu’s and the minister’s trust in him.

He acknowledged the minister’s remarkable strides in just two years, citing his previous role as technical adviser as a key preparation for taking on the MD position.

“Our fundamental goal is to work together to realise the president’s vision for the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant. I am fully prepared to deliver on this mandate with the support of the honourable minister, the permanent secretary, and the entire team at the Ministry of Steel Development. I pray and I am confident that Ajaokuta will come alive in our time,” Prof. Abdulsalam stated, expressing his readiness to face the enormous challenges ahead.