Gov Bago Hands Over 500 Hectares of Land to Abuja Steel Mills for Solar Farm and AIG Industrial Park

Uzoma Mba 

The Governor of Niger State, Dr Mohammed Bago, yesterday officially handed over 500 hectares of land in Niger State to Abuja Steel Mills for the development of a Solar Farm and the AIG Industrial Park.

Governor Bago handed over the land during a groundbreaking ceremony in Sabon Wuse, Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, yesterday.

The Governor described the initiative as the beginning of a landmark project that would reshape the industrial landscape and expand opportunities for the people of Niger State.

He said: “What we are witnessing is more than a ceremony; it is a clear declaration of our unwavering commitment to transforming Niger State into a leading investment destination of choice for sustainable economic growth. It is an indication that our vision of building a New Niger is not only a promise, but is steadily becoming a reality.

“And this is going to open up industrialisation here, taking advantage of our gas resources from the AKK pipeline, as well as our vast land for the development of solar power. Niger State hosts four hydropower dams — Kainji, Jebba, Zungeru and Shiroro. That, in addition, is one of the advantages we have.

“I therefore commend the management of Abuja Steel Mills Limited for their confidence in Niger State and for choosing to invest in this vision. Your decision reflects the economic potential of the state and the readiness of our administration to support responsible and productive investment.”

The Governor also urged the Dikko community to see the project as a catalyst that would open up the community and Niger State as a whole as an industrial destination for investors.

Earlier, in his remarks, the Group Chairman of African Industries Group (AIG), Raj Gupta, described the allocation of 500 hectares to Abuja Steel Mills Limited as “historic”.

According to him, “It is not just an opportunity to build industry and create jobs, but for me, its main purpose is development, upliftment and the empowerment of people.

“The project will be the largest. We already have the largest solar power installation in the country and, with this, we would perhaps have the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa. That puts Nigeria not only on the world steel map but also on the global renewable energy map.”

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, commended Governor Bago for what he described as industrial statesmanship, saying the allocation of 500 hectares of land to the company would drive unprecedented economic development in Niger State and leave a lasting legacy by attracting massive investments into the state.

Tegbe described the land allocation as an act of “industrial statesmanship”, saying it demonstrated the state’s commitment to attracting private investment and creating lasting economic opportunities.

According to him, the most enduring legacy of governance is not limited to physical infrastructure but includes the industries, investments and jobs created through strategic decisions.

“The most consequential legacy is the economic activity that government catalyses, the private investments it attracts and the jobs that are created long after it leaves office. Five hundred hectares of land transferred in good faith to a credible private investor is precisely that kind of legacy,” he said.

Tegbe also assured investors of the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing challenges in the power sector to support industrial growth and ensure the success of major investments across the country.

Also speaking, the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar, commended the Governor for his vision in allocating such a vast expanse of land to the company and expressed optimism that the project would revolutionise industrialisation in the state.

“We want to thank His Excellency, the Governor, for handing over the 500 hectares of land to Abuja Steel Mills, owned by the African Industries Group. The African Industries Group is led by the very visionary Chairman, Mr Raj Gupta, who took over a two- or three-man business about 50 years ago and transformed it into the biggest steel company in Nigeria and West Africa today.

“He has grown the company from a two- or three-man team into a workforce of 10,000 men and women driving the growth of steel production in Nigeria today. I believe the land will be used as the site for the largest solar-powered grid in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“They have invested billions of dollars in the Nigerian economy and have contributed massively to the vision of Mr President to grow the economy to $1 trillion by 2030 through investments in steel, power and other sectors. I want to acknowledge and thank Mr President for his vision in creating a conducive environment for Foreign Direct Investment to continue flowing into Nigeria.”

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh, said the 500 hectares of land would significantly support the industrialisation of the country.

He said: “The government cannot deliver on productivity without initiatives of this nature. Five hundred hectares of land is huge, and on it will sit what I understand will be the largest solar power installation not just in Nigeria, but in West Africa. That is the Solar Farm and the AIG Industrial Park.

“Again and again, the potentials of this country are huge and profound. The only way to transform those potentials into reality is through a combination of efforts by the private sector, the public sector, investors and all of us working together to make things happen.

“I am glad to be part of this event. This event helps me to deliver on my mandate, which is to industrialise our country.

“The CBN has done quite a lot in terms of monetary policies, yet we are still where we are. The missing link is productivity.

“Through this single project, many more people will be gainfully employed. Earlier, we were told that close to 1,800 people are already employed by this group. The land being allocated today and the industries that will be established on it will create even more jobs.

“In terms of the resources we spend importing steel products and other goods, what African Industries Group is doing provides part of the solution. It reduces our import burden and helps address the unemployment challenge we face,” Enoh said.