Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Steel Minister Shuaibu Audu Clash Over Ajaokuta Steel Company Funding
A budget defence session at the National Assembly on Wednesday, February 11, descended into a heated confrontation between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, over the future of the Ajaokuta Steel Company. The exchange occurred during a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives committees on mines and steel development, convened to review funding proposals and policy direction for the sector.
Questioning Government Commitment to Ajaokuta Revival
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party, used the session to challenge the federal government's resolve to revive the long-stalled Ajaokuta Steel Company. She argued that the project has suffered from prolonged indecision rather than a lack of capacity, comparing its funding needs with other large-scale infrastructure projects already underway.
"In retrospect, let's say that the coastal road, which is 750 kilometres, has a projected cost of N15 trillion," she stated. "And as a country, we've started funding that. N15 trillion is $11 billion. That is seven times what Ajaokuta steel needs. I have to reference this to let us know that if we are serious as a country, we will get the funds either which way."
She criticized what she described as repeated discussions without tangible results, noting that three years into Audu's tenure as minister, the government is still debating the best model to move the steel company forward. "We just meet, we talk to the media. And at the end of the day, we fold our arms and do nothing," she added.
Confrontation Over Russia Agreement and Accusations of Misleading Nigerians
The senator raised the issue of a 2019 bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Russia, which reportedly involved a $1.45 billion commitment to Ajaokuta. She argued that ministerial transitions should not reset existing agreements, emphasizing continuity in governance. Tensions escalated when she warned against misleading the public, stating, "We should not lie to Nigerians... and we have people that we are responsible to."
Minister Audu, who serves in the All Progressives Congress-led federal cabinet and also hails from Kogi state, immediately rejected the remark. "We are not lying to Nigerians. I take exception to that," he responded. He explained that international sanctions on Russia had affected the arrangement, stating, "Just to provide clarity that the Russian government and the Russian federation is under a lot of sanctions on the international financial market. So the transaction would not move forward."
Audu defended the due diligence process, noting that extensive checks were conducted before signing the memorandum of understanding. "These are not just mom and pop shops... we did due diligence. This due diligence was done all the way up to the foreign ministry before we signed the international MoU," he said.
Session Adjourned Amidst Tensions and Accusations of Disrespect
As Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to continue her line of questioning, committee chairman Patrick Ndubueze adjourned the session, saying, "Distinguished, let's call it a day." The senator objected, stating, "I think you have disrespected me more than enough." Ndubueze replied that further questions could be raised during an investigative hearing, after which Minister Audu exited the room.
The clash highlights ongoing debates over Nigeria's industrial policy and funding priorities, with Ajaokuta Steel Company remaining a focal point of political and economic discussions. Both lawmakers, despite sharing a state of origin, sit on opposite political sides, reflecting broader partisan divisions in addressing national infrastructure challenges.
