The Federal Government is seeking stronger investment and technology partnerships with German manufacturers to revitalise Nigeria’s steel industry and strengthen local industrial capacity.
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, disclosed this when he received a delegation of German Original Equipment Manufacturers led by the Head of VDMA-German OEMs, Chux Onaa, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
A statement issued by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ijomah Opia, said the meeting was aimed at translating previous engagements between Nigeria and Germany into concrete investment opportunities and industrial partnerships.
Audu recalled that Nigeria and Germany had earlier discussed opportunities in steel development, mining, mineral processing, engineering and technology transfer during the 9th German-African Economic Forum held in Dortmund, Germany.
The minister said the latest visit by the German delegation reflected increasing interest in Nigeria’s industrial sector, stressing that the Federal Government was prepared to collaborate with German companies to strengthen the country’s steel and metallurgical industries.
He said Nigeria had substantial mineral and metallurgical resources, as well as a growing market capable of supporting increased industrial activity.
“ The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Steel Development, is committed to creating an enabling environment for a competitive, technology driven and sustainable steel industry capable of supporting infrastructure development, manufacturing, job creation and economic diversification,” Audu said.
He identified several areas for potential cooperation, including the deployment of modern technologies, equipment manufacturing and supply, mineral processing, steel production, engineering services, skills development and technology transfer.
Audu added, “We are particularly interested in exploring opportunities for German Original Equipment Manufacturers to participate in ongoing and emerging projects within Nigeria’s steel and metallurgical sectors.”
He said increased collaboration with German manufacturers could help Nigeria develop domestic industrial value chains and reduce its reliance on imported machinery and technology.
According to the minister, the engagement marked an important step towards establishing a technology-driven industrial partnership between Nigeria and Germany.
He expressed optimism that the discussions would produce specific investment projects and areas of cooperation in the steel and metallurgical sectors.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, said the initiative was aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Rimi noted that the establishment of the Ministry of Steel Development by President Bola Tinubu was aimed at accelerating efforts to restore the country’s steel industry.
Earlier, Onaa said the German delegation came to Nigeria to build on existing discussions around investment and technical cooperation in the steel sector.
He noted that German OEMs possessed technologies capable of supporting the processing of raw materials for several industries, including cement and building materials.
The latest engagement forms part of broader Federal Government efforts to revive Nigeria’s steel industry, increase domestic processing of mineral resources, generate employment and strengthen manufacturing as part of economic diversification efforts.
Germany’s established manufacturing and engineering sector makes its industrial equipment manufacturers potential partners as Nigeria seeks to expand domestic production and build stronger industrial value chains.
