In September 2024, Nigeria ‘s Foreign Minister signed an MOU with Tyazhpromexport (TPE)—the Russian firm which originally built the massive Ajaokuta Steel Mill in central Kogi State—to refurbish ASM, which has been rusting for lack of use, since its construction was halted in 1983. With rehabilitation efforts set to begin in the coming months, Kogi State has now signed an MOU with China’s Hunan Province to build an industrial park in the shadow of ASM’s revival.
On April 16 it was announced was that a delegation led by Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo had just returned from a visit to Hunan Province, China. As described by Channels TV, “the Kogi State government deliberately sought a partnership with Hunan Province under the China-Africa Economic and Trade Partnership (CAETP), [which included] a ‘Sister City’ collaboration agreement. The partnership aims to unlock Kogi’s vast agricultural and mineral potential while fostering industrial growth and infrastructure development.”
