A coalition of civil society organisations advocating the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Company has announced plans to convene a conference on April 16 to examine the future of the long-abandoned steel complex and the political commitment to its restoration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The event, organised by the CSO Coalition for the Revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company, is themed, “Ajaokuta Phenomenon in Tinubu’s Era: A Turning Point or Another Missed Opportunity?” and is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.
According to the organisers, the conference comes at a crucial moment in Nigeria’s economic and industrial development, as stakeholders continue to debate the fate of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, widely seen as central to the country’s industrialisation agenda.
The coalition said the conference would bring together engineers, academics, labour leaders, international consultants, civil society groups and policy influencers from Nigeria and abroad, including participants from the United Kingdom, Russia, Canada, Belgium and The Gambia.
It said the broad international participation reflects the global relevance of Ajaokuta Steel and its potential role in positioning Nigeria as a competitive industrial hub.
The organisers noted that the conference aims to reignite national discourse on the strategic importance of the steel company, assess the commitment of the current administration to its revival, and generate evidence-based policy recommendations.
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It is also expected to deepen civic advocacy for transparency, accountability and sustainable industrial development, while mobilising local and international support for reforms.
The programme will feature opening remarks by Engr. Abdallah Sani of SOYUNIK Worldwide, described as part of a select group of engineers trained under the Nigeria-Russia partnership.
A conference briefing will be delivered by Mohammed B. Attah, National Coordinator of the coalition, while goodwill messages are expected from labour representatives, international business leaders and members of the academic community.
The keynote address is expected from Prof. Banji Oyeyinka, a Visiting Fellow at The Open University, Aberdeen, United Kingdom, and a former staff member of the African Development Bank.
Organisers also said the event would include a high-level panel discussion involving experts in engineering, trade, civil society and human rights, alongside interactive sessions that will allow public participation and contributions.
At the end of the conference, a communiqué is expected to be issued, outlining key resolutions and advocacy demands on the future of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
For decades, Ajaokuta Steel has remained a symbol of both Nigeria’s industrial aspirations and its governance challenges. With the country facing mounting pressure to diversify its economy, reduce unemployment and address infrastructure gaps, the coalition said the conference would serve as a defining moment to demand clarity, commitment and concrete action from government and relevant partners.
The CSO Coalition for the Revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company, a non-partisan alliance of civil society organisations, said it has been advocating since 2019 for the revitalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex as a driver of national development, job creation and economic transformation.
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