Aliko Dangote, the President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, has cast doubt on the prospects of reviving the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Complex, insisting that global technological advancements have overtaken the project.
Dangote, who spoke on Tuesday in an interview with journalists, stressed that while no nation can thrive without a functional steel industry, Ajaokuta’s prospects remain dim.
The business mogul compared efforts to resuscitate the plant to trying to pit outdated technology against modern advancements.
He said, “The steel we are talking about, we will definitely look at the opportunities of doing that. There is no nation that you can build without a steel industry.
“And honestly, between us here, Ajaokuta will not work. We can keep deceiving ourselves. We can keep being passionate about this. It’s not possible.
“It’s like you now, if you remember those vehicles we used to produce from Volkswagen (Igala) if you bring Igala now, would you now compare it to the current Kia. No, things have changed.”
He emphasised the need for adaptation in a rapidly evolving world.
“Things have changed and all of us have to keep changing or you will become archaic. You have to change, now, when you carry something like Ajaokuta is like you going to the grave yard to bring a dead person or you go to the hospital to bring somebody who is on the dying bed to come and run 100 metres. It’s totally impossible,” he added.
Conceived in 1979, the Ajaokuta Integrated Steel Complex was designed to host a Metallurgical Process Plant, an Engineering Complex and auxiliary facilities.
However, more than 45 years later, the multi-billion-dollar project has failed to take off, dogged by mismanagement and corruption.
Speaking further, Dangote, warned that Africa must avoid becoming a dumping ground for outdated industrial plans and imports that undermine job creation.
“But really, you know, come to think of it, we should be very careful, not only in Nigeria, but in the entire African continent.
“Because people are importing poverty into our nations and exporting our jobs out. And we have the most, you know, growing population in the world, the continent.” he cautioned.
