A professor of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at the University of Ilorin, Jamiu Odusote has called for the revamp of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and other metal companies.

He said this when he delivered the 246th University of Ilorin inaugural lecture, the Professor said if this is done, it will reduce the country’s dependent on imported metal products for her development.

Iron and steel industry in Nigeria developed as a public funded integral industry. Between 1979 and 1983, Nigeria government jump-started iron and steel production with emphasis on the importance of iron and steel in developing and driving local production of goods.

The Ajaokuta Steel Mill was developed as the largest public steel company in 1979 but over the years, it appears the purpose for which it was intended have been defeated.

At this inaugural lecture, Professor Jamiu Odusote of the department of materials and metallurgical engineering says the Ajaokuta steel mill and other public metals companies need to be revitalized.

Although many private steel companies have sprung up, the professor insists that Nigeria still has a lot of infrastructural deficits and poor industrialization due to the deficiency in metal and steel production.

He also emphasized the need for a well planned out sustainable materials development.

The lecture titled: “Engineering Materials Development as Catalyst for Innovation” was the 246th University of Ilorin inaugural lecture.