Tempers flared on Wednesday during the budget defence session of the Ministry of Steel Development after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) engaged in a heated exchange with the Chairman of the Senate Committee overseeing the ministry, Senator Patrick Ndubueze.
The session, which lasted nearly four hours, focused heavily on the condition of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed by the ministry.
Proceedings became tense following prolonged questioning by committee members.
The confrontation began when Akpoti-Uduaghan continued her line of questioning after hours of deliberations, seeking additional clarification from ministry officials. As discussions dragged on, Ndubueze moved to adjourn the session, noting that the Kogi Central senator had already spoken at length and signalling his intention to conclude proceedings.
Her objection to the move triggered a brief but tense standoff.
Ndubueze insisted she could channel further concerns to an upcoming investigative hearing before striking the gavel. In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan voiced strong dissatisfaction.
“I think you have disrespected me more than enough. No, no, no. You can’t do this to me. You can’t. You spoke enough; allow me to speak.
“I have something very vital to interface with the minister, and it doesn’t matter if I’ve spoken once or twice. This is an interactive session. And you agree that we have not met with the minister enough. Only God knows where next we are going to meet with him as a committee.”
Ndubueze, however, maintained that she had been treated with due respect.
The session primarily examined the ministry’s 2024 budget performance and its 2025 projections, with significant attention on Ajaokuta Steel Company and related MoUs with private partners. Akpoti-Uduaghan raised concerns about transparency and the structure of agreements signed by the ministry.
“I did request a copy of the MoU because I needed to be certain that due diligence was conducted, but since I was not furnished with the MOU, I had to rely on third-party conversations,” she stated.
The senator also accused the ministry of failing to properly engage her in her capacity as representative of the host community. She revealed that previous efforts to secure a meeting with the minister had been unsuccessful.
“I am the senator representing Kogi Central, and since I got into the Senate, we’ve just met only three times. We only seem to meet at budget presentations,” she said.
“I am saying it right now, I am going to write to you formally. I am seated in dual capacity. I have got host community representation to project and protect.”
She further criticised what she described as repeated promises without measurable progress on Ajaokuta.
“You have prepared this fantastic speech, we just met, we talked to the media, and then every day we fold our arms and do nothing. Three years into you being a minister, we are still trying to go back and forth on what is the best model to move Ajaokuta. Isn’t that funny?” she said.
In his presentation, Minister of Steel Development Shuaibu Audu outlined the ministry’s mandate and financial performance. He disclosed that its agencies received N24.143 billion in the 2024 appropriation, including N9.5 billion for personnel, N383 million for overhead, and N11.06 billion for capital projects.
He said that as of December 31, 2025, total releases amounted to 56.5 per cent of the appropriation. Personnel and overhead allocations were fully released, while capital releases stood at 48.4 per cent. He added that capital disbursements for the 2025 budget had yet to begin.
Earlier, Senator Isah Jibrin urged the ministry to reduce its reliance on foreign investors and consider domestic financing options for reviving Ajaokuta.
“We need to approach the Debt Management Office with specific requests on specific production lines, noting that Ajaokuta has over 20 production lines that could be activated in phases.
“Why is anyone waiting for foreign investors to come in? There are so many issues related to foreign investment. One of them is security,” he said.
Jibrin argued that activating select production lines with locally sourced funding could help tackle unemployment and stimulate economic growth.
Ndubueze also expressed concern over what he described as insufficient engagement between the ministry and lawmakers, referencing prior discussions on the revitalisation of Ajaokuta. He noted that independent reports indicated some units within the steel complex could function if adequately supported.
Despite the friction that marked the session, the committee resolved to reconvene for additional meetings aimed at addressing outstanding issues concerning Ajaokuta Steel Company and other pending agreements.
What you should know
The clash between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Committee Chairman Patrick Ndubueze highlights deep frustrations over the long-delayed revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company.
While the ministry outlined its budget performance and funding constraints, lawmakers questioned transparency, engagement, and progress. Akpoti-Uduaghan insists host communities deserve stronger representation and clarity on MoUs, while other senators are pushing for domestic financing rather than reliance on foreign investors.
The committee plans further sessions, signalling that scrutiny over Ajaokuta’s future is far from over.
