It is generally known that today’s material civilization has been existing mainly because of man’s knowledge and utilization of metals. In the absence of metals, there would be no existence of railways, aero-planes, automobiles, ships, turbines, electric motors and usually no electrical power. There will be no contemporary bridges or gigantic oil rigs and the little but essential elements of everyday life from simple razor blades to knives and forks and the printed newspaper would not be present today. It is also broadly recognized that the foundation of all these metallic inventions, innovations and motive power, is the particular class of metal known which is regarded as “STEEL”.
Primary steel sector industries are dissimilar from other industrial establishments in many terms. They are essentially strategic industries that fulfil the long term industrial requirements of a country via their exclusive role as feeder channels to a plethora of other key institutions. No serious program of industrialization can be anticipated in absence of a firm steel foundation, at least a steel foundation that would progress with the envisaged scope of general industrialization over a set period.
The role of the steel industry in a country’s development cannot be denied at all. The Steel Industry will always thrive to serve as a spur to national development and economy boaster to the industrial development of a country.
The industry will serve as the mainstay of industrialization of any developing or under-developing nation, Nigeria if all the necessary parameters stay at a necessary place. The merits of having a practical steel industry will interpret to a functional nation. It should also be considered that the steel industry will contribute to all the aspects of the economy, including the significant role steel plays in economic development and growth.
Discussion and prominences were based on the endeavors formed in the emergence of the Steel Industry in Nigeria to discuss the capabilities that could be accumulated for the functionality of this industry.
It should be noted that the steel industry was abstracted as far back as 1958, because of the significant and tactical role of the steel industry in the alteration and improvement of the economy. If Nigeria ever wished to drop the robe of “weak economy” for that of an “industrialized economy” promoter and economy boaster the industry must be fulfilled and make functional. If the steel industry had been accomplished, commissioned and effectually operated thirty-four years ago as conceptualized in the vision of the initiators, Nigeria would have been a diversified country in terms of industrial and economic development.