Niger State has taken a major step toward becoming one of Nigeria’s leading industrial hubs after allocating 500 hectares of land to Abuja Steel Mills Limited for a massive steel manufacturing facility powered by solar energy.
The project will combine a large steel production plant with a dedicated solar farm and a new industrial park. Moreover, officials believe the investment could transform manufacturing in Nigeria by providing cleaner and more reliable energy for heavy industries.
The steel project has already attracted attention because it could become one of the largest renewable energy investments linked to steel production in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, the development supports Nigeria’s wider goal of expanding local manufacturing and creating more jobs.
Abuja Steel Mills Limited, a subsidiary of Raj Gupta’s African Industries Group (AIG), will lead the project. The company plans to power its operations with renewable energy instead of relying heavily on diesel generators and Nigeria’s national power grid.
Speaking on the development, Chairman of African Industries Group, Raj Gupta, described the allocation as a major milestone for both the company and Nigeria’s industrial future.
He said the solar installation “could become the largest in Nigeria and potentially the biggest supporting a steel operation anywhere in West Africa or sub-Saharan Africa.”
The project also fits into Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s long-term vision of making Niger State a key industrial corridor in Nigeria. In addition, the governor announced plans to officially designate another 200,000 hectares of land for future industrial development stretching toward Kaduna State.
According to the state government, the planned industrial corridor will benefit from the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, strong solar resources and several hydroelectric dams. These include the Kainji, Jebba, Shiroro and Zungeru dams, which already provide significant electricity generation capacity.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government believes investments of this nature will strengthen Nigeria’s economy and reduce dependence on imported steel products.
Steel Development Minister Shuaibu Audu praised African Industries Group for its remarkable growth over the years. He noted that the company has expanded from a small steel business into one of West Africa’s largest industrial manufacturers.
The minister also linked the investment to Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030. According to him, steel production will remain one of the major sectors driving that economic target.
Furthermore, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, said private sector investments remain essential for expanding local manufacturing. He explained that such projects will create jobs, increase industrial output and strengthen Nigeria’s economy over the long term.
Founded more than five decades ago, African Industries Group has grown into one of Nigeria’s largest manufacturing companies. Today, the company operates more than 30 factories across sectors including steel, mining, chemicals, glass and real estate.
However, one of the biggest attractions of the new investment is its strong focus on renewable energy. Instead of depending mainly on diesel generators, Abuja Steel Mills intends to power a significant part of its steel production through its dedicated solar facility.
Although construction details and timelines have not yet been fully disclosed, the land allocation represents a major boost for Nigeria’s industrial sector. If successfully completed, the project could place Niger State among the country’s leading centres for manufacturing, while supporting long-term economic growth.
