Tinubu Appoints Yakubu Gowon University Alumnus as Ajaokuta Steel MD: A New Dawn for Nigeria’s Industrial Ambitions

In a move that has sparked optimism across Nigeria’s industrial landscape, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Professor Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam as the Managing Director of the Ajaokuta Steel Company. The announcement, made official on April 3, 2025, marks a significant step in the administration’s push to revitalize the long-dormant steel giant and cement Nigeria’s position as Africa’s industrial powerhouse. With this appointment, enacted under the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008 as amended, Tinubu has signaled a clear intent to harness expertise and experience to drive his Renewed Hope Agenda.

Professor Abdulsalam steps into this pivotal role with an impressive pedigree. Until his appointment, he served as the Technical Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, a position that equipped him with intimate knowledge of the sector’s challenges and opportunities. His tenure as Special Assistant (Academics) to the Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) further underscores his versatility, blending academic rigor with practical policy insight. A proud alumnus of Yakubu Gowon University, Abdulsalam brings to the table a wealth of experience in the steel industry, a credential President Tinubu has explicitly tasked him to leverage in transforming Ajaokuta into a catalyst for upstream and downstream economic growth.

There is little doubt that Professor Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam is the best man for this job. His appointment is not merely a bureaucratic shuffle but a strategic placement of a seasoned expert at the helm of a company that has, for decades, symbolized both Nigeria’s industrial potential and its unfulfilled promises. Ajaokuta Steel, once envisioned as the bedrock of the nation’s industrialization, has languished in neglect, its vast complex a silent testament to missed opportunities. In Abdulsalam, the company gains a leader with the technical acumen, policy experience, and vision to breathe new life into this sleeping giant. His track record suggests he is uniquely positioned to navigate the complex interplay of technical, financial, and political hurdles that have stalled progress at Ajaokuta for years.

The Yakubu Gowon University community has greeted this appointment with unrestrained pride and jubilation. To see one of our own ascend to such a critical national role is a testament to the institution’s legacy of producing leaders who shape Nigeria’s future. “We are thrilled,” a union leader for the university’s SUG,  remarked. “Professor Abdulsalam embodies the excellence and dedication that our alma mater, Yakubu Gowon University instills in its graduates. His success is our success, and we are confident he will make us proud while steering Ajaokuta Steel toward a brighter future.”

President Tinubu’s charge to the new MD is as ambitious as it is clear: revolutionize Ajaokuta Steel Company to generate the industrial and economic activities that will position Nigeria as the hub of African industry. This aligns seamlessly with the diversification goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to reduce the nation’s dependence on oil and unlock the potential of its manufacturing and industrial sectors. If Abdulsalam succeeds, and there is every reason to believe he will,the ripple effects could be transformative, creating jobs, boosting local economies, and restoring faith in Nigeria’s ability to fulfill its long-standing industrial promise.

As the nation watches, Professor Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam stands at the threshold of history. His appointment is more than a personal triumph; it is a beacon of hope for an industry and a country, ready to rise. We the Yakubu Gowon University community, along with millions of Nigerians, will be here cheering him on every step of the way.