CSOs Fault Alleged Ajaokuta MoU, Demand Transparent Revival Plan

A coalition of Nigerian civil society organizations (CSOs) has voiced strong skepticism regarding recent reports of a gas-related Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Ajaokuta Steel Company. Under the banner of the CSO Coalition for the Revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company, they are demanding concrete actions and a transparent revival plan, cautioning against further unfulfilled promises for the long-abandoned industrial complex.

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Nigerians have heard this song before – and the price of another false chorus is a country that continues to import what it has the raw materials, manpower, and mandate to produce itself.

In a joint statement, the coalition emphasized that Nigeria cannot afford another decade of inaction. While acknowledging the government's efforts to attract foreign investment, they stressed that such international engagements must translate into tangible industrial development, not merely "photo opportunities" or agreements that never materialize. "Nigerians have heard this song before – and the price of another false chorus is a country that continues to import what it has the raw materials, manpower, and mandate to produce itself," the statement read.

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Anything less is theatre, not governance.

The CSOs highlighted the approaching 2027 general elections as a period when political promises often increase. They urged that every commitment made to Nigerians be backed by transparent implementation, clear timelines, and measurable outcomes, stating, "Anything less is theatre, not governance." They described the Ajaokuta Steel Company as "the single most enduring symbol of Nigeria’s unrealised industrial potential," lamenting that successive administrations have failed to bring the plant into full operation despite numerous plans and agreements.

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Ajaokuta’s revival must become a national priority, not a recurring campaign slogan revived every election cycle and shelved thereafter.

To ensure genuine progress, the coalition called on the federal government to publish a comprehensive implementation roadmap for the steel plant. They also requested periodic disclosure of international negotiation details, compliance with procurement laws, prioritization of local content and technology transfer, and the presentation of a publicly monitorable financing framework. Reviving Ajaokuta, they argued, would stimulate various sectors, including engineering, construction, defense manufacturing, and energy infrastructure, while creating thousands of jobs for small and medium-scale enterprises. The CSOs expressed their readiness to collaborate with the government to achieve this goal.

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International travels must not merely produce Memoranda of Understanding or investment announcements that fade from headlines within weeks. Nigerians deserve completed projects, functioning industries, expanded manufacturing capacity, and sustainable jobs.