Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has expressed disappointment over the failure of a delegation of foreign ambassadors to visit the Ajaokuta Steel Company, renewing calls for the revival of the facility to boost Nigeria’s industrial development.
The senator said the delegation was unable to access the steel complex despite a written request for approval, leaving the visitors to view the facility from outside its gates.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who hosted the diplomats on a visit to Kogi Central, described Ajaokuta Steel as a critical component of Nigeria’s industrial future and pledged to continue advocating for its rehabilitation.
“Ajaokuta remains central to the industrial future we want for our people, and I will continue to advocate for its revival,” she said.
The planned visit was part of efforts to showcase Kogi Central’s economic potential, cultural heritage, tourism attractions and business opportunities to international partners.
The senator disclosed on Monday, that discussions with the diplomats focused on investment prospects and humanitarian initiatives, expressing optimism that the engagement would lead to partnerships capable of improving the lives of residents.
She stressed that exposing the region’s resources and entrepreneurial capacity to international investors was essential to attracting meaningful economic opportunities.
“To attract investment, we must give people the chance to see our strengths for themselves: our skills, our enterprise, our culture and our people,” she said.
The delegation included four ambassadors: Leenknegt, Bach Hansen, Mengoni and Spain’s Félix Costales Artieda, who accepted the senator’s invitation to engage with communities in the area.
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Akpoti-Uduaghan thanked the diplomats for their participation, as well as community leaders, residents and artisans for welcoming the delegation and showcasing the heritage of the Ebira people.
She said the visit provided an opportunity to present Kogi Central to an international audience and explore areas of cooperation that could attract investment and support local development.
The Ajaokuta Steel Company has remained one of Nigeria’s most prominent unfinished industrial projects, despite successive government efforts to bring it into full operation.
The plant’s revival is widely considered important to expanding domestic manufacturing, creating employment, reducing reliance on imported steel and strengthening industrial supply chains.
However, the facility has yet to fulfil its original ambition of becoming a major driver of Nigeria’s industrialisation.
Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed hope that the diplomatic engagement would translate into concrete partnerships, particularly in tourism, indigenous enterprise and investment, to deliver lasting benefits to Kogi Central and its residents.