President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Nasir Yusuf Abdulsalam as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited. The announcement was made public on Friday, April 5, 2025.
The appointment was confirmed in a statement released by the Presidency and signed by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity. According to the statement, Abdulsalam’s appointment is part of the federal government’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the country’s industrial sector, especially in the area of steel production.
Nasir Abdulsalam is expected to take immediate charge of the affairs at Ajaokuta Steel, a company that has long been viewed as central to Nigeria’s industrial development goals. Once envisioned as the bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialization, Ajaokuta Steel has remained largely non-operational for decades due to various setbacks, including mismanagement, underfunding, and legal disputes.
President Tinubu has emphasized his administration’s commitment to reviving critical national assets, and Abdulsalam’s appointment is seen as a key step in this direction. The President expressed confidence in Abdulsalam’s ability to bring fresh energy, technical expertise, and strategic vision to the management of the steel company.
The newly appointed MD is a seasoned engineer and administrator with decades of experience in the metallurgical and engineering sectors. He has previously held leadership positions in related industries and is known for his strong background in project execution and resource management.
The Presidency noted that the appointment is with immediate effect and that Abdulsalam is expected to lead reforms that will reposition Ajaokuta Steel as a productive and profitable enterprise. The government’s long-term objective is to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported steel and create thousands of jobs through the full activation of Ajaokuta Steel’s potential.
Ajaokuta Steel Company, located in Kogi State, was originally conceived in the late 1970s and constructed with technical support from the former Soviet Union. Despite its massive infrastructure and potential to transform Nigeria’s industrial landscape, the project has remained unfinished and largely inactive for over four decades.
Efforts by successive governments to revive the plant have yielded limited results, with most attempts failing due to contractual disputes and inconsistent policy direction. The federal government has, however, renewed its focus on Ajaokuta as part of broader efforts to achieve industrial self-reliance and boost domestic manufacturing.
Industry experts have long argued that reviving Ajaokuta Steel is essential for Nigeria’s economic diversification. Steel is a critical raw material for sectors such as construction, automotive, oil and gas, and infrastructure development. A fully operational steel plant would also help reduce the high cost of importing steel products.
President Tinubu’s administration has promised to address the bottlenecks that have hindered the plant’s operations. This includes resolving outstanding legal challenges, attracting credible investors, and providing the necessary financial and policy support to bring the facility to life.
Abdulsalam’s appointment has been met with cautious optimism by stakeholders in the steel and manufacturing industries. Many are hopeful that his leadership will usher in a new era for the long-neglected company.
The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the operations of Ajaokuta Steel under the new management. The Presidency has also called on all relevant agencies and stakeholders to support the new MD in delivering on the administration’s vision for industrial development.
As Abdulsalam assumes his new role, he faces the daunting task of turning around one of Nigeria’s most iconic but troubled industrial projects. The success or failure of this new phase at Ajaokuta Steel is likely to be seen as a litmus test for President Tinubu’s broader industrialization agenda.
