Nigeria’s march toward a $1 trillion economy is gaining momentum, and one of the major forces powering that transformation is African Foundries Limited (AFL), according to the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu.
During an official working visit to AFL’s state-of-the-art steel facility in Ogijo, Ogun State, the Minister lauded the company as a “national asset” and a critical player in the revitalization of Nigeria’s steel sector — a core pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Steel is the bedrock of industrialization, and African Foundries is clearly leading that charge,” said Audu. “Their investments in production, mining, export, and renewable energy are essential to Nigeria’s economic future.”
Founded as a modest two-man operation by the late patriarch of the Gupta family, AFL has grown into a steel titan with over 14,000 employees and operations spanning eight Nigerian states.
Highlighting AFL’s recent developments, the Minister praised the company’s $600 million iron ore mine in Kaduna and the commissioning of a galvanized steel plant, both of which he described as transformative for the sector.
“Their steel not only meets Nigeria’s demand — it’s being exported to countries like Senegal, Mali, and Morocco,” Audu noted. “That’s the kind of scale and ambition Nigeria needs to achieve its infrastructure goals.”
The Minister emphasized that Nigeria cannot hope to industrialize or meet its infrastructure needs — from roads and bridges to military and housing projects — without a thriving steel industry.
“There’s no path to a $1 trillion economy without steel, and African Foundries is showing us how to get there,” he asserted, while calling on other private investors to emulate AFL’s forward-thinking approach.
Audu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting companies like AFL, which he described as vital partners in national development.
“People call America the land of dreams,” he said, “but I believe Nigeria is a land of dreams too — and African Foundries is living proof of that.”
Community and Sustainability at the Core
Traditional rulers also lent their voices in support of AFL’s impact. Oba Kazeem Gbadamosi, the Ologijo of Ogijo, described the company as a “pillar of the community,” commending its skills training programs and inclusive employment policies.
“Our own sons and daughters are running these machines,” the monarch said. “That shows true empowerment.”
He also urged AFL to increase the employment of indigenous residents and praised its continued dialogue with community leaders, which he said has preserved industrial harmony.
Speaking at the visit, Mr. Taiwo Okeowo, Head of Corporate Affairs at African Industries Group (AIG) — AFL’s parent company — revealed that the Ogijo plant is powered by Nigeria’s largest solar energy installation, operated by Paris Energy. He noted that this underscores AFL’s deep commitment to sustainability and clean energy.
“Our steel isn’t just powering buildings; it’s powering the economy,” Okeowo stated. “We’re producing Tiger TMT rebars, globally certified products used in critical infrastructure across Nigeria.”
AFL, as part of the African Industries Group, continues to stand at the forefront of tackling Nigeria’s industrial and energy needs. With a focus on innovation, local empowerment, and green energy, the company is charting a new course for Nigeria’s economic rebirth.
