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Shuaibu Abubakar Audu: The torchbearer determined to serve his people and revive Nigeria’s Steel Industry

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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

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Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

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Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), on Monday, called for urgent global action to tackle plastic pollution causing environmental crisis.

APWEN, under its “STEM for All” initiative, North-East zone, made the call, while commemorating the 2025 World Environment Day in Gombe.

Speaking virtually, President of APWEN, Engr. Adebisi Osim, said it is imperative to encourage recycling of plastics, as part of measures to reduce pollution.

Osim noted that the amount of plastics manufactured annually for use had made it necessary for urgent actions to be taken, to ensure a cleaner and safer environment.

“Today’s theme, “End Plastic Pollution” is not just a catchy phrase, It is a wake-up call; a global one and we are answering that call, not with panic, but with STEM-driven solutions and people-centered action.

“According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the world produces over 430 million tonnes of plastic annually, and over two-thirds of that becomes waste.

“Alarmingly, less than 10 per cent is recycled, and the rest clogs our drains, litters our streets, chokes our rivers, and poisons marine life.

“Here in Nigeria, the World Bank estimates that Lagos alone generates 13,000 metric tonnes of waste per day, and 15 per cent of that is plastic.

“We see it daily in pure water sachets lining our gutters, single-use bags littering markets, and microplastics infiltrating our food chains,” she said
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Osim called on stakeholders to invest more in recycling the plastics towards reducing the need for new plastic production, which will in turn lower greenhouse gas emission.

She assured that state chapters are collaborating with young people, to design plastic alternatives, using local materials, and to build waste-sorting systems using simple robotics.

Osim added that the chapters will also explore the conduct of STEM fairs, which are focused on sustainable innovation.

In the same vein, Chairman of the Gombe chapter of APWEN, Engr. Deborah Danladi, urged stakeholders to invest in plastic waste recycling, to save the environment, as well as create jobs and wealth for youths.

Danladi also underscored the need for more action and sensitisation to ensure collective approach to addressing the menace of plastic pollution.

Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

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UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs

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UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations (UN) agencies in Nigeria have hammered on the need for adequate investment in the development of Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to advance economic growth in the country.

The agencies disclosed this during the commemoration ceremony of the 2025 MSMEs Day on Monday in Abuja.

The event was jointly organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Director, UNIDO Sub-regional Office, Abuja, Mr. Philbert Johnson, who was represented by National Programme Officer at UNIDO, Mr. Reuben Bamidele,, said that MSMEs role in nation building cannot be underestimated, therefore the need for adequate investment to ensure their sustainable growth is of uppermost importance.

Johnson said: “We are gathered together today to discuss proper ways to promote innovation and growth within the MSMEs sector.

“In Nigeria, as we know not less than 40million MSMEs are making huge contribution to the economic growth of the country, by providing employment and serving as means of livelihood for people.

“MSMEs, thereby, contribute to the growth of Gross Domestic Products across sectors of the country’s economy. We gathered to dissect the challenges MSMEs face and also, to work closely together towards achieving sustainable growth.”

The ILO Country Representative, Dr Vanessa Phala, stressed the need for strategic measures to be taken to bolster MSMEs impact on the nation’s economy.

Phala, who was represented by ILO’s National Project Coordinator for the Social Dimension of Ecological Transition, Stephen Agugua, said: “We look at how MSMEs can drive the future of the economy through job creation and employment. When you think of job creation and employment that is where ILO comes in.

“MSMEs are key to the growth of every economic sphere: Through this dialogue platform ILO will know the challenges MSMEs are facing and look at pathways for ensuring sustainable solutions collectively.”

The UNDP Deputy-Director, Ms Varsha Redkar-Palepu, represented the National Programme Specialist and Trade Focal Point at UNDP by Claire Henshaw,, described MSMEs as pivotal to nation building.

She noted that MSMEs form the foundation of inclusive and sustainable development in Nigeria, “MSMEs are vital engines for job creation, innovation and social mobilisation, particularly for women and youths. While operating on margins of formal economic systems, we need to put MSMEs at the centre of our development.

“In Nigeria and across Africa, MSMEs holds the key to transforming economic opportunities to meaningful development and the ambition into tangible outcomes,” Phala said.

On his part, Managing-Director of Prohealth, a private organisation, Dr Chinedu Nnabuihe who spoke on behalf of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), commended the UN agencies for putting the event together.

According to him, the event is dedicated to the invaluable role MSMEs play in advancing innovation, creating jobs, increasing inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the country.

“In Nigeria, MSMEs are the engine of our economy, driving local production, supporting livelihood and contributing significantly to national GDPs. This is amidst challenges posed by economic situation, limited access to finance and infrastructure.
“Nigeria MSMEs have continued to demonstrate resilience, creativity and determination. At NECA we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering an enabling environment in supporting MSMEs development,” Nnabuihe said.

The event attracted stakeholders from Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMEDAN), Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nigeria Association of of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Others include, National Insurance Commission (NICOM), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

Highpoint of the event was visit by the stakeholders to the exhibition stand of MSMEs, overview of UNDP engagement with MSMEs, government agencies’ engagement with MSMEs and WIP-intellectual property for MSMEs.
End

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NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission

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NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission

By: Michael Mike

The Commission of the African Union has said the formulation of new action plan on drug control and crime prevention on the African continent would not be complete without inputs from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) because of its central role in law enforcement on the continent.

The AU Commission stated this on Monday during an assessment visit to the NDLEA’s National Headquarters in Abuja by a three-member delegation including the team lead Dr. Olubusayo Akinola, Head of Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention; Dr. Abiola Olaleye, Senior Drug Epidemiology and Research Officer; and Prof. Johan Strijdom, Senior Drug Control Consultant.

The visit was to evaluate the African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019-2025).

Akinola said: “We are here to understand the status of implementation of this continental action plan on drug control and crime prevention. We are in the process of re-evaluating and starting another continental action plan that will take us from 2026 to 2030. So, we have identified a few countries to understand how this action plan was actually implemented in the member states. And if there are gaps and the new and current emerging trends that we can include.

“So, we understand very well the work of NDLEA and we believe that the formulation of the new action plan will not be finalized and concluded until we have inputs from NDLEA Nigeria, because you are basically on the forefront when it comes to law enforcement on the entire continent.”

The AU Commission delegation commended the NDLEA for its sustained provision of critical and policy-relevant data, which has significantly informed and shaped the work of the Commission over the years. The visit, according to the delegation, aimed to obtain a comprehensive update on the current status of implementation of national drug control strategies, identify operational and institutional gaps, and explor#####eiiii#ehue#pp7l#######el#e7l77#e7l7#wlAfrican##wle potential areas for technical assistance, particularly in relation to capacity development, forensic science capabilities, canine detection units, and other strategic enablers of drug control efforts.

Welcoming the delegation, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), emphasized the importance of the mission, stating that he considered it imperative to receive the team personally due to the strategic relevance of their engagement.

He said: “We are particularly pleased that the African Union is giving due weight to the implementation of the continental action plan, not merely as a theoretical exercise, but by undertaking direct field consultations with national counterparts. This grounded, evidence-informed approach will undoubtedly result in a more pragmatic and responsive framework for implementation.”

Marwa highlighted the urgency of addressing the continent’s growing drug challenge, adding that while global projections estimate a 10–11% rise in drug use prevalence, Africa is expected to experience a surge of up to 40%. “This disparity signals a looming crisis that demands coordinated and accelerated action. We deeply appreciate the AU’s leadership in this space and commend your proactive efforts,” he added.

NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission

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