The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, Prof. Nasir Naeem Abdul Salam, has assured Nigerians that the long-awaited revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant will soon become a reality, affirming that “Ajaokuta will produce steel under my watch.”

Prof. Nasir gave the assurance at the 40th Conference and General Meeting of the Nigerian Metallurgical Society (NMS) held in Abuja, where he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning the company as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial development.

He stated that Ajaokuta’s facilities remain viable, emphasizing that “there is no obsolescence in steel.” According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given his full backing to ensure that the plant becomes operational.

“It is a privilege to share with my colleagues that we have the President’s confidence. I told Mr. President that Ajaokuta is possible, and as a teacher, I said to him, we cannot fail. What we have promised Nigerians is simple: Ajaokuta will produce steel under my watch,” he said.

The Ajaokuta MD disclosed that since assuming office, he and the Minister of Steel Development, alongside officials from the Presidency, have embarked on several international engagements to attract the necessary technical partnerships and investments for the plant’s revival.

He noted that the company has adopted a quiet but result-oriented approach, free from politics and unnecessary publicity.

“We are not making noise. We are not interested in shenanigans. Ajaokuta has suffered too much politics and writings by people who have never even visited the plant. We are focused, professional, and our results are very close, and I mean very close,” he stated.

Prof. Nasir further revealed that within six to seven months, the company hopes to commence operations at its rolling mills, marking the first tangible step toward full-scale production.

He added that several countries and technical partners have visited the Ajaokuta complex to assess its facilities and have confirmed its readiness for production.

“We have their reports with us. They have invested time, money, and technical resources to verify what we have. Their conclusion is clear: Ajaokuta is viable and ready. Once we brief Mr. President, we will make those reports public,” he said.

The MD also disclosed that President Tinubu has granted the management and the Ministry of Steel Development a “blank cheque” to reposition the steel plant for optimal production.

“With what we have, experts have told us that in two to three years, Ajaokuta can be upgraded to produce 10 million metric tonnes of liquid steel annually,” he noted.

Prof. Nasir appealed to Nigerians for patience, saying the process requires substantial funding, technical expertise, and dedication.

“In one year at most, everyone will see our roadmap and the results of our efforts. We are not engaging in politics; we are focused on science, technology, and results,” he affirmed.

He revealed that part of his report to President Tinubu included new international training opportunities secured for Ajaokuta’s technical staff and engineers to refresh their skills after decades of inactivity.

“It is time for our engineers to go out, retrain, and return to take over the plant. We have wasted too much time on politics. Under this administration, we are determined to change the narrative. Mr. President has said it clearly, if Ajaokuta does not work, forget about Nigeria,” he added.

The Ajaokuta MD further highlighted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to provide engineering and maintenance support aimed at reducing foreign exchange spending on imported components.

“We looked inward and asked what we could do with what we have. Our engineers put their heads together, and we approached the NRC. They were impressed with our capacity, and since signing the MoU, we have been providing them with technical support. The plant is now active; our engineers are working every day,” he said.

Prof. Nasir expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Metallurgical Society for honoring him with an award at the conference, describing it as a recognition of the collective efforts of Ajaokuta Steel Company.

“This is the first professional award I have accepted since assuming office because it comes from the core practitioners in the steel sector. On behalf of my colleagues and the largest steel company in Africa, we appreciate this honour and promise to continue supporting the Society and upholding its professional standards,” he said.

Prof. Nasir reiterated that under his leadership, Ajaokuta Steel Company will not only resume operations but will also drive Nigeria’s march toward industrial self-reliance.

“The steel sector is the backbone of every economy. Without steel, there can be no real development. We have come to change that story, and it will happen in our lifetime,” he concluded.