A short but searing post by financial analyst Kalu Aja has ignited a wave of online backlash against Tinubu’s administration, drawing attention to the relevance of Nigeria’s Ministry of Steel Development. The post, shared on Aja’s official X account on Tuesday, May 21, 2025, reads in full: “Nigeria has a minister of steel. Doing what?”
Within hours, the tweet surpassed 481,000 views, triggering a surge of angry and sarcastic responses from Nigerians who questioned the purpose and performance of the ministry and its leadership. The current minister of steel is Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, and he was appointed to the position on August 23, 2023, by Tinubu.
Aja’s rhetorical query has become a rallying point for critics who view the ministry as a symbol of governmental waste and mismanagement. Many took to social media to mock the position and allege that it exists merely as a title, not a functional post.
One user, Dáre Ómo Iya Lékan, commented, “Minister of steel, in a country where we import nails. Na title full ground, work no dey.”
Another, simply identified as Baba, said, “He’s there steeling.”
The backlash continued with Áyódòmì Ìkákunmi stating, “Nigeria has a Minister of Steel? For what—supervising abandoned factories and cutting ribbons at ghost projects? It must be exhausting doing absolutely nothing with a straight face.”
Others echoed similar sentiments. Jeff posted, “Very busy, allegedly stealing and thieving the money for the ministry!!! No one bothers what title is actually called again.”
Amid the mockery, some users also delved into political backgrounds. One commenter with the handle Nairaexchangerate wrote, “The minister is Shuaibu Abubakar Audu; he is the son of former Kogi State Governor Abubakar Audu. He is just 44 years old. When he is 50, he allegedly plans to run for governor. Then he will start working. Now you know, government money in government house. We MooVe.”
Though the Ministry of Steel was revived by Tinubu’s administration as part of a strategy to reposition Nigeria’s industrial sector, public sentiment online shows deep skepticism over its actual impact, especially given the country’s continued reliance on imports for basic steel products.
Kalu Aja’s post has once again raised the uncomfortable question: is this just another redundant ministry serving political interests rather than national development?
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