The Nigerian Steel Industry: Retrospect and Prospect

Abstract

The development of a viable domestic steel industry had been a major pre-occupation of successive governments in Nigeria since the end of British colonial rule in 1960. The steel industry was seen by government as a major catalyst to galvanizing and accelerating the pace of industrial development in the country, hence the core role assigned to the sector in the various national development plans starting from the 1962–1968 national development plan. Furthermore, it was considered to be a matter of national pride and a reflection of industrial progress for Nigeria to join the league of the steel producing nations of the world. Sadly, however, as at 2017 Nigeria is still to feature amongst the major steel producing nations of the world as highlighted in Table 4.1.