Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has known as motion on the long-delayed revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, saying the commercial advanced stays necessary to Nigeria’s financial future.
The senator made the remarks on Friday on her official Facebook web page whereas recounting a go to by 4 European ambassadors to Kogi State from 16 to 18 May 2026.
In a press release on the go to, Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan stated she had hoped to take the delegation to the steel advanced but it surely might solely view the ability from the gates as a result of entry had not been granted regardless of a written request to the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu.
She didn’t establish anybody who denied the delegation entry. PREMIUM TIMES couldn’t independently confirm the circumstances surrounding the request or the choice on entry.
The ambassadors had been from Belgium, Denmark, Italy and Spain. According to the senator, the go to was meant to showcase Kogi Central’s cultural heritage and discover funding and humanitarian alternatives within the space.
The delegation additionally visited historic and cultural websites, together with Lord Lugard’s relaxation home on Mount Patti in Lokoja, and took a ship journey to the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers. The National Inland Waterways Authority offered the boats, she stated.
In Obeiba, the guests hiked a hill, sampled conventional meals and watched artisans reveal the manufacturing of shea butter, palm kernel oil and black cleaning soap.
They additionally noticed pottery-making and Ebira fabric weaving earlier than watching a standard masquerade efficiency.
Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan stated discussions in the course of the go to centered on potential funding and humanitarian partnerships.
She added that the ambassadors had expressed curiosity in returning for an extended go to.
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 affect as governor to assist revive the steel advanced.
She argued that the plant might generate employment, cut back poverty and help Nigeria’s industrial improvement. Although the ability is a federal undertaking, she stated a Kogi governor might work with the presidency to advance its revival.
READ ALSO: FG signs agreement with Russian Consortium to rehabilitate Ajaokuta steel plant
In February 2026, the Kogi State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Muhammed Gambo, additionally backed her advocacy after she known as for funding to revive the plant throughout a Senate price range defence session, in accordance to a report by *The Punch* printed on 13 February.
The report stated the Federal Government’s proposed 2026 price range allotted ₦6.69 billion to Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, together with ₦6.04 billion for personnel prices.
The newest go to offered one other alternative for the senator to draw consideration to the plant’s potential, though the delegation didn’t tour the ability.
The 4 ambassadors named by Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan had been Pieter Leenknegt of Belgium, Jens Ole Bach Hansen of Denmark, Roberto Mengoni of Italy and Félix Costales Artieda of Spain.
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