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Shuaibu Abubakar Audu: The torchbearer determined to serve his people and revive Nigeria’s Steel Industry
Shuaibu Abubakar Audu: The torchbearer determined to serve his people and revive Nigeria’s Steel Industry
By Lizzy Okoji
Since his appointment as Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu has emerged as a source of optimism for Nigeria’s steel industry, leveraging his deep understanding and skill to revitalise the sector. Undoubtedly, the ex-investment banker, politician, and son of the late political icon who was the first and second civilian governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu; has injected new life and a fresh thinking into Nigeria’s steel industry, sparking optimism for a more promising future.
Tasked with the responsibility of reviving and repositioning the Nigerian steel industry under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Prince Audu has not rested on his oars, but has instead shown great determination for the country’s publicly owned steel plants to begin steel production before the end of the first term of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
Given his background as an investment banker with over twenty years cognate experience, it was no surprise when President Tinubu appointed the prominent Kogi Prince as Minister in August 2023, tasked with overseeing the newly-created ministry and driving the President’s vision of industrialising Nigeria through the steel sector.
As Minister of Steel Development, Prince Audu aims to revive and reposition Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited as a world-class steel producer as well as resuscitate other steel rolling-mills across the country, develop and implement policies to grow the Nigerian steel industry, attract investments and partnerships to drive industry growth, create jobs and stimulate economic growth through steel production.
The Honourable Minister’s commitment to reviving the company with new and effective strategies has attracted potential international investors and partnerships, paving the way for Nigeria to become a major player in the African steel market.
Prince Audu has embarked on a comprehensive reform agenda to address the sector’s challenges with the following key initiatives: engaging with industry stakeholders, including steel producers, miners, and equipment suppliers to understand their challenges and concerns to help him develop a 10-year roadmap for the industry to address the sector’s specific needs.
Following high-level meetings with companies like Luan Steel Group of China and Jindal Steel of India and other prospective investors, they have shown interest in building new steel plants in Nigeria, a development that would boost the country’s steel production capacity and attract foreign direct investments.
Under his leadership, the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, once a dormant giant, is now roaring back to life. With the potential to create over 500,000 jobs, the successful revival of the steel company would be a game-changer in reducing poverty and achieving the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The hope of reviving Ajaokuta Steel plant can be said to be just around the corner, as the committed Minister, following the approval of Mr. President, is in the final stages of working with investors to revive the light section mill that will produce iron rods, the wire rod mill, the lime calcination plant and thermal power plant.
The visionary Prince of the Niger, is also set to get presidential approval to declare the 24,000 hectares of land in the Ajaokuta steel territory an industrial park (with a free trade zone and CNG park), which will further drive foreign investments into Kogi State, making the state one of the major industrial hubs in the country.
A significant development in “walking the talk’ of the Minister’s efforts are partnerships between the Ministry of Steel Development and Ministry of Defence as well as the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI) which are beginning to yield positive results. The Works Ministry will also be off-takers of steel produced from Ajaokuta, which would be used in building roads and infrastructure across the country, while the Engineering workshop of the steel plant is being resuscitated to manufacture military hardwares in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. Land will also be allocated in the steel territory for the military to build a military industrial complex in Ajaokuta.
The launch of 1 million Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before the end of 2025 further restates the importance of the collaboration between the Ministry and the PCNGI to establish a CNG Park within the territory of Ajaokuta. The park will benefit from the existing infrastructure, like the natural gas line from Warri to Ajaokuta among others.
Noteworthy is that the influence of the astute Prince Audu extends far beyond the steel sector, as he has leveraged his position to bridge the gap between the government and the people of Kogi East Senatorial District, as well as the entire state, delivering numerous interventions for his people, which he had always done through his Foundation, the Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu Foundation even before becoming Minister.
His strong commitment to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda earned him high marks from the Concerned Northern Forum (CNF), a coalition of 73 civil society organisations, in a predictable yet notable endorsement for delivering on his mandate of reviving the steel sector.
The Presidential Conditional Grant Programme, which he facilitated, had a positive impact on 5,000 beneficiaries in Kogi State, who received a one-off payment of N50,000 each, spread across the three senatorial districts, in addition to consistent distributions of palliatives such as Rice, Groundnut Oil, Salt and Fertilizers as well as financial support to communities across the State.
In a strong show of support, the Minister visited Omala Local Government Area of the State, donating N5 million of his personal resources as well as relief materials to those affected by herdsmen and bandits’ attacks. At the IDP camp, which he visited with his wife, he expressed solidarity and commitment to working with authorities to end the violence and restore peace to the communities.
Not ignorant of the current challenges of the country in the face of the transformative agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister is committed to leveraging on his position as the representative of his people at the federal level, collaborating with the leadership of Kogi State, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, to bring the necessary succour and interventions to ameliorate the challenges of the people, while driving sustainable development projects to the state.
Although the Prince of Steel faces a monumental task in restoring the steel industry amidst financial constraints, he remains unwavering in his commitment to etch his name in the annals of history by revitalizing the idle steel plant and the broader steel industry in Nigeria.
Shuaibu Abubakar Audu: The torchbearer determined to serve his people and revive Nigeria’s Steel Industry
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has said the principles of the United Nations Charter offers guidance to Nigeria and other African countries bedeviled by terrorism and other violent conflicts.
The message was given by the Director-General of the Institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of United Nations.
Ochogwu said: “Today, October 24, 2025, marks exactly 80 years since the entry into force of the United Nations Charter. As the world commemorates this historic milestone, we are reminded of the enduring vision of the Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. This vision remains profoundly relevant to Africa and to Nigeria, where the pursuit of peace, justice, and inclusive development continues to shape our collective aspirations.
“In today’s complex and rapidly changing security environment, the principles of the Charter, namely sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for international law offer essential guidance. Across Africa, the persistence of violent conflicts, terrorism, and governance challenges underscores the urgent need to strengthen multilateral cooperation, preventive diplomacy, and mediation capacities. Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and her experience in regional peacekeeping and conflict resolution affirm our commitment to these ideals and to the transformative role of international law in sustaining peace and security.
“The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) stands as a bridge between national policy and global peace initiatives. We reaffirm our partnership with the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and other stakeholders to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and institution-building. In this decade of action, we must deepen investments in peace infrastructure, youth empowerment, and cross-border cooperation to realize the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
He added that: “As we look to the future of the United Nations in Africa, the challenge before us is clear: to make peace sustainable, justice accessible, and security inclusive. The continued faith of Member States and communities in the principles of the UN Charter is an enduring source of hope for a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous continent.”
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity.
By Fathia Adenike
The heartbeat of Nigeria’s bustling cities and quiet villages lies ìtàn a Yoruba word meaning “story” or “history” a powerful force shaping cultural identity. Across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic landscapes Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa,and beyond. Storytelling isn’t just tradition; it’s a living bridge connecting past, present, and future.It’s an Oral Threads of Heritage,From moonlit Yoruba folktales whispering òrìṣà deeds to Igbo elders recounting ancestral proverbs, Nigeria’s oral traditions transmit values, wisdom, and belongings. These stories embed moral codes, communal bonds, and cosmological maps that ground Nigerians amid rapid change. Ancient myths seep into contemporary Nigerian life. Olókun’s oceanic power meets Lagos’ tech-driven streets; Ọṣun’s fertility echoes in art exploring feminine resilience. Writers like Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart and Ben Okri The Famished Road weave such mythic threads into explorations of identity, disrupting colonial ruptures.
Today, Nigerian storytelling leaps into digital realms. Podcasts like “The Nairaland Podcast and Twitter threads” retelling folklore showcase ìtàn’s adaptability. Social media becomes a virtual àbù̀ (drumbeat), amplifying voices across Nigeria’s youthful diaspora.
Ìtàn fosters cultural resilience. As Nigeria navigates urbanization, migration, and tech disruption, these stories offer anchors. They articulate collective memory, mediate conflict, and nurture belonging across ethnic lines Igbo, Yoruba.
Hausa in a nation of profound diversity.In Nigeria’s mosaic, ìtàn remains a vital pulse reminding Nigerians, globally, of roots nourishing identity’s complex, beautiful branches. ìtàn remains an irreducible heartbeat reminding Nigerians globally of identity’s deep, branching roots nourishing complex beauty. As Nigeria braids tradition with cutting edge innovation, these stories transmute into luminescent beacons, diachronistic continuity. Resonating poignantly in diaspora conversations spanning oceans.
Echoing vibrantly in Nigeria’s creative expressions celebrating Ultimately, ìtàn transcends mere retrospection; it dynamically sculpts Nigeria’s unfolding narrative vectors. These andaren’t antiquarian tales; they’re heritage-infused blueprints propelling Nigeria’s stories into uncharted tomorrows narratives carrying ancestral essence into modernity’s unspooling scroll. ìtàn brings identity filaments, affirming storytelling as Nigeria’s quintessential cultural DNA.
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity
ShightVault X Èkó Runners Club: Running Through Lagos, Redefining African Performance Culture
LAGOS, NIGERIA – October 11, 2025 — Nigerian sportswear brand, ShightVault is making bold strides in redefining the culture of movement and style in Africa. The brand recently led a major collaboration with the Èkó Runners Club, hosting a vibrant community event themed “RUNWITHLAGOS” at The Finery, Ikoyi.
The activation brought together over 280 guests, including more than 140 runners who took part in a 5KM morning run through the heart of Lagos. The day unfolded into a full lifestyle experience, from yoga sessions and high-intensity training classes to ice baths, networking, food, drinks, and friendly competitions, blending wellness and urban culture in one energetic celebration.
At the center of it all was ShightVault, showcasing its limited-edition collaborative run-fit, a sleek performance line that sold out quickly at the venue.
Speaking at the event, Riches Efe Arhiakpore, Executive Director of ShightVault, described the collaboration as a reflection of the brand’s growing vision:
ShightVault is more than a sportswear label, it’s a movement. This collaboration with Èkó Runners Club represents how we want to connect fashion, fitness, and community. We’re open to working with more run clubs across the country and internationally as we expand our reach in both the sports and fashion industries.
The event was powered by key sponsors including KNGSMN, Pocari Sweat, ZoneX, Red Bull, and Glacee Table Water, alongside partners who helped deliver one of Lagos’ most engaging fitness activations of the year.
As ShightVault continues to grow beyond Nigeria’s borders, the brand is positioning itself as a global voice for African sportswear innovation, bridging performance, design, and cultural expression in every stride.
ShightVault X Èkó Runners Club: Running Through Lagos, Redefining African Performance Culture
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
PRESIDENT TINUBU CHANGES SERVICE CHIEFS
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