By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

The Managing Director/CEO of Ajaokuta Steel Company, Naeem Nasir Abdul-Salam, has warned that Nigeria must pay close attention to “the international politics shaping global product exports,” stressing that the country could face serious challenges if it fails to strategically position its raw materials and industrial output.

Abdul-Salam made the remarks during a panel session at the one-day National Advocacy and Sensitization Conference on Partnering for the Implementation of the RMRDC 30% Value Addition Bill, held on Friday, November 28, 2025, at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Event Centre in Abuja.

The Ajaokuta chief said that since the creation of the steel plant in 1980, “this is the first time we have a government that truly understands that industrialization requires intentional investment.” He emphasized that Nigeria must develop internal regulatory standards if it wants its products to be respected globally.

Using steel production as an example, he explained that Nigeria’s iron ore resources—particularly from the Itakpe deposit—should be processed locally through beneficiation before export or use in steel manufacturing. He lamented past practices in which Nigeria imported items, including steel-related inputs, from countries such as Brazil in the 1990s, even though similar processing could have been done domestically.

Abdul-Salam praised the Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, describing his efforts as “the first time I am seeing things work seamlessly in this sector.” But he cautioned that Nigeria cannot remain silent about the geopolitical pressures that affect global exports.

According to him, “international politics around export is huge and beyond what can be fully discussed in this room,” warning that Nigeria will likely confront these challenges as it expands industrial operations.

He also urged the Federal Government to prioritize support for agricultural mechanization projects in Ilorin, calling for improved access to farm equipment to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic production system.

Delivering the conference keynote, Dr. Babagana Mustif of NEXIM Bank underscored the need for strong multi-stakeholder partnerships to ensure the successful implementation of Nigeria’s 30% value-addition policy.

The bill—sponsored by Senator Peter Nwebonyi—seeks to mandate that at least 30% of Nigeria’s raw materials undergo local processing before export. Mustif said the legislation represents “more than a regulatory target,” describing it as a bold step toward strengthening local value chains, reducing import dependency, and expanding high-skilled job opportunities across the country.

Senator Nwebonyi, who earlier defended the bill at its public hearing this year, described Nigeria as “trapped in a vicious cycle” in which the nation extracts vast mineral, agricultural, and energy resources only to export them in their rawest form—allowing foreign industries to reap the rewards.

“We are blessed beyond measure,” he said, but added that Nigeria’s failure to process its resources means its youth remain unemployed and its economy vulnerable to global commodity shocks. He praised the RMRDC DG for helping bridge science and policy, and expressed hope that the conference would produce actionable strategies and measurable outcomes.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, projected that the 30% value-addition policy could generate “billions of dollars in foreign earnings” if effectively implemented.

Udeh described the Abuja conference as a follow-up engagement as the bill awaits presidential assent. He urged stakeholders across both the private and public sectors to embrace the initiative, stressing that reducing raw-material exports would create thousands of jobs and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base.