Chidimma Uchegbu -Abuja
The Ministry of Steel Development, led by the Permanent Secretary, has concluded a two-day familiarization visit to the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) in Jos, Plateau State, from September 4th to 5th, 2025.
Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu stated that the visit aimed to strengthen oversight, align mandates, identify gaps, promote synergy, and generate policy inputs to drive metallurgical and industrial development in Nigeria. The Ministry seeks to ensure that NMDC’s activities and programmes align with the Federal Government’s strategic objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Dr. Isokpunwu and his delegation received a strategic briefing on NMDC’s mandate, achievements, and current programmes, Core research and metallurgical facilities were inspected to identify areas for improvement, Critical challenges, resource gaps, and areas requiring Federal Government intervention were identified.
The Permanent Secretary said that the Collaboration between the Ministry and NMDC will be strengthened to ensure alignment with national metallurgical and industrial development goals.
He also added that the Ministry’s commitment to effective oversight and policy guidance was underscored by this visit, ensuring that NMDC’s programmes contribute to the Federal Government’s industrialization agenda. “This familiarization tour is expected to yield positive outcomes for the development of Nigeria’s metallurgical sector.” he added.
The Permanent Secretary was accompanied on the visit and tour of the facility by the Director Human Resources Management, Dr. Mrs Ijeoma Idika, other technical directors and technical aids from the Ministry.
Speaking earlier during his welcome address, the Director General/Chief Executive of the center, Engr. Prof. Linus Asuquo, said that the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) Jos, Nigeria’s premier research institution in minerals and steel development, is happy to host a landmark visit of delegation from the Ministry ably led by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, as he (DG) during the visit, presented a comprehensive overview of NMDC’s achievements, challenges, and future plans.
This was contained in the statement signed by the Principal Officer, For : Head, Press and PR of the Ministry, IJOMAH E. Opia , He further enumerated some of the Centers’ achievements to include;
• NMDC Jos has made significant progress since 2019, achieving milestones in research, maintenance, and collaboration with various institutions.
• The Centre has successfully initiated and maintained partnerships with notable organizations, including Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Nasarawa State University Keffi, and Mintek South Africa.
• NMDC has generated ₦3,390,094.75 in revenue and completed various capital projects, including the Heat Treatment Plant project.
• The Centre is currently engaged in research on melting cast iron scrap and producing grinding plates, with potential applications in various industries.
”We are confident that under your stewardship, NMDC will receive the needed attention to fulfill its mandate. We assure you of our unwavering cooperation and commitment as partners in the drive to revitalize Nigeria’s steel sector for the benefit of our great nation.”
He added that the Permanent Secretary visit marks a new dawn of collaboration, progress, and renewed hope for NMDC Jos and the Nigerian steel industry, as the Centre looks forward to continued support and engagement with the Ministry to realize its mandate as the technical driver of Nigeria’s steel and industrial development.
