Senator Natasha renews call to revive Ajaokuta steel plant

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has called action on the long-delayed revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, saying the industrial complex remains important to Nigeria’s economic future.

The senator made the remarks on Friday on her official Facebook page while recounting a visit by four European ambassadors to Kogi State from 16 to 18 May 2026.

In a statement on the visit, Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan said she had hoped to take the delegation to the steel complex but it could only view the facility from the gates because access had not been granted despite a written request to the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu.

She did not identify anyone who denied the delegation access. PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify the circumstances surrounding the request or the decision on access.

The ambassadors were from Belgium, Denmark, Italy and Spain. According to the senator, the visit was intended to showcase Kogi Central’s cultural heritage and explore investment and humanitarian opportunities in the area.

The delegation also visited historical and cultural sites, including Lord Lugard’s rest house on Mount Patti in Lokoja, and took a boat trip to the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers. The National Inland Waterways Authority provided the boats, she said.

In Obeiba, the visitors hiked a hill, sampled traditional foods and watched artisans demonstrate the production of shea butter, palm kernel oil and black soap.

They also observed pottery-making and Ebira cloth weaving before watching a traditional masquerade performance.

Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan said discussions during the visit focused on possible investment and humanitarian partnerships.

She added that the ambassadors had expressed interest in returning for a longer visit.

Campaign for Ajaokuta

Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan’s advocacy for the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company predates her election to the Senate.

On 21 August 2019, Tribune Online reported that she, then a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, had pledged to use her influence as governor to help revive the steel complex.

She argued that the plant could generate employment, reduce poverty and support Nigeria’s industrial development. Although the facility is a federal project, she said a Kogi governor could work with the presidency to advance its revival.

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In February 2026, the Kogi State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Muhammed Gambo, also backed her advocacy after she called for funding to revive the plant during a Senate budget defence session, according to a report by *The Punch* published on 13 February.

The report said the Federal Government’s proposed 2026 budget allocated ₦6.69 billion to Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, including ₦6.04 billion for personnel costs.

The latest visit provided another opportunity for the senator to draw attention to the plant’s potential, although the delegation did not tour the facility.

The four ambassadors named by Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan were Pieter Leenknegt of Belgium, Jens Ole Bach Hansen of Denmark, Roberto Mengoni of Italy and Félix Costales Artieda of Spain.