Revitalizing Nigeria’s Metallurgical and Steel Sectors: A Determined Mission for Economic Prosperity
In an admirable effort to revive Nigeria’s metallurgical and steel sectors, Minister of State for Steel Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, has spearheaded a range of transformative initiatives. These initiatives are aimed at stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and eradicating poverty in Nigeria.
Under his capable leadership, the National Metallurgical Training Institute (NMTI) in Onitsha is being revitalized to produce a skilled indigenous technical workforce capable of operating and maintaining steel and allied industries. The goal is to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on foreign technical training and develop highly skilled, practical, and production-oriented low and middle-level skilled manpower.
The minister has set an ambitious target of training at least 100,000 individuals annually, with a special focus on ensuring that 35% of the trainees are women. This concerted effort is aimed at meeting the industry’s demands and supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Furthermore, the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA) in Kaduna is being revitalized as a geo-scientific information center for investors and researchers in the solid minerals sector. This strategic move aims to enhance the agency’s capabilities and create a conducive environment for the exploration and development of Nigeria’s rich mineral resources, making the nation an attractive investment destination in the sector.
These remarkable achievements have been made possible through the collective efforts of a well-trained, dedicated, and motivated workforce. The minister’s emphasis on capacity building and the adoption of modern exploration techniques has positioned Nigeria as a hub for cutting-edge research and development in the metallurgical and steel sectors, garnering significant interest from domestic and international stakeholders.
In a significant development, the Ministry of Steel Development, in collaboration with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), has facilitated a groundbreaking $300 million investment in the steel sector by Niger Extraction Company Ltd. This substantial investment underscores the private sector’s confidence in Nigeria’s steel industry and signals a new era of growth and innovation in the sector.
Moreover, Uba Maigari Ahmadu has orchestrated a multi-layered policy approach in technical collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), the Metallurgical Training Institute, and the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency.
Through proactive engagement with various stakeholders, the minister has played a pivotal role in promoting the steel sector and attracting much-needed foreign direct investment (FDI) to Nigeria. His efforts include targeted outreach programmes, industry roundtables, and investor forums aimed at positioning Nigeria as a prime investment destination, paving the way for sustainable economic development and prosperity in the country.
Furthermore, the minister is working towards optimizing revenues from the metals sector, addressing low capacity utilization, under-reporting of contributions, and dumping of imported sub-standard metal products. His proactive approach includes sensitizing MSMEs in the sector on proper reporting and scheduling a nationwide facility inspection to investigate and rectify the root causes of low capacity utilization.
In conclusion, Minister Uba Maigari Ahmadu’s unwavering dedication and strategic initiatives are pivotal in rejuvenating Nigeria’s metallurgical and steel sectors, setting the stage for sustainable growth and prosperity. Through enhanced collaboration, innovation, and investment, his leadership promises a vibrant and competitive steel industry, holding potential for economic advancement and progress in Nigeria.
The article was written by Abubakar Yerima, the Coordinating Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister of State for Steel Development.
