The Federal Government has set aside about three billion tonnes of unmined iron ore deposits to supply the Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Complex in Kogi State when the plant becomes fully operational.
Director-General of the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency, Kolawole Michael, said the reserves are being preserved in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive against exporting raw solid minerals without local processing.
Michael described the iron ore deposits in Itakpe as among the best in both quality and quantity but noted that mining has remained limited because Ajaokuta, the country’s major intended off-taker, is yet to resume operations.
He explained that the steel sector was designed as an integrated value chain, with the exploration agency identifying deposits, the National Iron Ore Mining Company mining them, and the Ajaokuta complex processing the raw materials into steel.
According to him, laboratory tests confirmed the high quality of Itakpe’s iron ore, while limestone deposits are currently being supplied to cement manufacturers because the steel plant remains inactive. He added that further exploration is needed to develop high-grade coking coal in Nasarawa State and reduce coal imports.
Michael also called for increased government funding to strengthen mineral exploration, upgrade laboratory facilities and acquire modern technologies such as drones, saying these investments are critical to unlocking Nigeria’s steel industry and broader industrialisation goals.
