CSO Coalition to Host International Conference on Ajaokuta Steel Revival
A coalition of civil society organisations has announced plans to convene an international conference focused on the future of the long-abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Company, in what it describes as a critical moment for Nigeria’s industrial development.
The virtual conference, organised by the CSO Coalition for the Revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company, is scheduled for April 16, 2026, and will examine prospects for reviving the steel complex under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
With the theme “Ajaokuta Phenomenon in Tinubu’s Era: A Turning Point or Another Missed Opportunity?”, the event aims to stimulate debate on the role of the steel plant in driving Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda, amid ongoing concerns about economic diversification, unemployment, and infrastructure gaps.
According to the organisers, the conference will attract a wide range of stakeholders, including engineers, academics, labour leaders, civil society actors, and international consultants from countries such as the United Kingdom, Russia, Canada, Belgium, and The Gambia. The coalition said the global participation reflects the strategic importance of Ajaokuta in positioning Nigeria as a competitive industrial hub.
The programme will feature opening remarks by Engr. Abdallah Sani of SOYUNIK Worldwide, followed by a conference briefing from the coalition’s National Coordinator, Mohammed B. Attah. A keynote address will be delivered by Prof. Banji Oyeyinka, a visiting fellow at The Open University in Aberdeen, United Kingdom, and former staff member of the African Development Bank.
Other highlights include goodwill messages from industry stakeholders, a high-level panel discussion involving experts in engineering, trade, and civil society, as well as interactive sessions for public engagement. The conference is expected to conclude with the presentation of a communiqué outlining key resolutions and policy recommendations.
The coalition said the event is designed to reignite national discourse on Ajaokuta, assess government commitment to its revival, and promote transparency, accountability, and sustainable industrial development. It also aims to mobilise both domestic and international support for actionable reforms.
Describing the steel complex as a symbol of both ambition and governance challenges, the organisers noted that the conference represents a decisive opportunity for stakeholders to demand concrete action toward reviving the facility.
The CSO Coalition for the Revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company, a non-partisan alliance established in 2019, continues to advocate for the revitalisation of the complex as a driver of job creation and economic transformation in Nigeria.
