Varsity Don Charges Nigerian Government To Revitalise Ajaokuta Steel Complex

Nigerian Government has been charged to make efforts to revitalise the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and other metal companies in the country in order to vigorously pursue the development of the metal sector of the economy and reduce the nation’s dependent on imported metal products for her development.

This charge was given by Professor Jamiu Odusote while giving recommendations in his inaugural speech delivered at the University of Ilorin, Titled “Engineering Materials Development as catalyst for innovation” in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, North Central Nigeria.

The Don, a Metal Engineering Expert while noting that the Steel and other metal products are the major engineering materials for structural applications, lamented that Nigeria is having a lot of infrastructural deficits and poor industrialization.

He, however, stressed on the need for the government to revitalise the moribund steel industry, saying that, “government must vigorously pursue the development of the metal sector of the economy in order to reduce the country’s dependence on imported metal products for her development.”

In other parts of his lecture, Odusote, Professor of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering while describing the discipline as the bedrock for technological advancement and economic development of the nation, urged the government to improve its funding through provision of adequate facilities for training.

He said there is ,“need for the Government and Training Institutions to provide adequate facilities for training Materials Engineers at undergraduate and postgraduate levels within the country. There is a need to recognize that strong material education is a bedrock for technological advancement and economic developments of the nation.”

“The government needs to provide special fund for the training of Materials/Mining/Metallurgical engineers at all levels, if the country truly wishes to diversify her economy and join the league of Advanced Countries”.

He added that, “the Government should enact laws that will mandate manufacturing industries to fund research in area of engineering materials development.”

Odusote also urged the Government to review Engineering Curricula in the country to meet the Societal and industrial needs, noting that it will “make our graduates make-ready and contribute positively to national developments and societal growth.”

Olusola Akintonde