The Nigerian Metallurgical Society (NMS) has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the metal industry. This call was made during the NMS Annual Conference in Enugu, which brought together key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and research institutions. The Society’s President, Engr. Prof. O.B. Oloche, signed a communique highlighting the need to revitalise Nigeria’s struggling metal industries.
The NMS emphasised that immediate action is necessary to rehabilitate and operationalise metal industries across both upstream and downstream sectors. They urged the government to implement robust policies and strengthen regulatory frameworks that foster transparency, boost investor confidence, and attract both domestic and foreign investments into the sector.
One key recommendation was for the Federal Government to ensure the full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in September 2024 with the original builders of Ajaokuta Steel Plant, Tyazhpromexport (TPE), for the rehabilitation and operationalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant (ASP) and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) in Kogi State. The NMS sees this as a critical step towards reviving Nigeria’s metal industries.
Additionally, the Society urged the government to resolve the disputes that have delayed the resumption of operations at the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) in Akwa Ibom State. According to the NMS, ALSCON’s revival is essential for meeting local and regional demands for aluminium, which is a major input for various metal industries.
The NMS also advocated for increased investment in research and development, capacity building, and the adoption of modern technologies, which they argue are necessary to boost productivity and reduce waste in the metal industries. They further recommended developing the mining sector to create a resilient local supply chain, which would reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported metallic materials.
The NMS emphasised that the challenges facing Nigeria’s metal industries can only be addressed through effective public-private partnerships (PPP). Collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential for financing, infrastructure development, and ensuring that growth strategies are aligned with market needs.