Senator Natasha pushes for Ajaokuta Steel plant revival

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is calling for the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Company. She believes this plant is important for Nigeria's economic future.

On Friday, she shared her thoughts on her Facebook page. This came after four European ambassadors visited Kogi State from 16 to 18 May 2026.

In her statement about the visit, Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan mentioned that she wanted to take the ambassadors to the steel complex. Unfortunately, they could only see it from outside because they were not allowed in. She had sent a written request to the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, for access.

She did not name anyone who denied the delegation access. PREMIUM TIMES could not confirm what happened with the request or the access decision.

The ambassadors were from Belgium, Denmark, Italy, and Spain. According to the senator, their visit aimed to highlight Kogi Central's cultural heritage and explore investment and humanitarian opportunities in the area.

The group visited historical sites, including Lord Lugard's rest house on Mount Patti in Lokoja. They also took a boat trip to where the Niger and Benue rivers meet. The National Inland Waterways Authority provided the boats for the trip.

In Obeiba, the visitors hiked a hill, tasted traditional foods, and watched artisans make shea butter, palm kernel oil, and black soap. They also saw pottery-making and Ebira cloth weaving, ending the day with a traditional masquerade performance.

Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that discussions during the visit were about possible investment and humanitarian partnerships. She added that the ambassadors showed interest in returning for a longer visit.

Push for Ajaokuta

Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan has been advocating for the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company even before she became a senator. On 21 August 2019, Tribune Online reported that she, then a governorship candidate from the Social Democratic Party, promised to use her position as governor to help revive the steel complex.

She argued that the plant could create jobs, reduce poverty, and support Nigeria's industrial growth. Although it is a federal project, she believes a Kogi governor could work with the presidency to push for its revival.

In February 2026, Muhammed Gambo, the Kogi State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, supported her call for funding to revive the plant. This happened during a Senate budget defense session, according to a report by The Punch published on 13 February.

The report noted that the Federal Government's proposed 2026 budget included ₦6.69 billion for Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, which covered ₦6.04 billion for personnel costs.

The recent visit was another chance for the senator to highlight the plant's potential, even though the ambassadors did not tour the facility. The four ambassadors named by Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan were Pieter Leenknegt from Belgium, Jens Ole Bach Hansen from Denmark, Roberto Mengoni from Italy, and Félix Costales Artieda from Spain.