NGNigeria spent over N1 trillion on steel imports in 2025, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. Despite having abundant raw materials, the Ajaokuta Steel Complex in Kogi State has been idle for over four decades. The steel industry is considered vital for industrialization, yet Nigeria continues to rely heavily on imports, spending approximately N526 billion annually on iron and steel imports over the past six years. The Minister of Steel Development estimates this cost to be around N5.6 trillion per year. The Ajaokuta Steel Complex was designed to meet domestic demand and supply neighboring countries but remains non-operational. Analysts argue that a functional steel industry could boost employment, reduce import bills, and support downstream industries.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data on Nigeria's steel import expenditures and the underutilized Ajaokuta Steel Complex. It includes quotes from officials and analysts without overtly favoring any political stance. The framing is neutral, focusing on economic implications rather than ideological or党派（
