ALSCON: The Unfinished Dream — A Call For A Final Settlement And Industrial Revival
By Pius Ebong
The Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), located at Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, remains one of Nigeria’s most significant unfinished industrial ambitions. Conceived as a strategic investment in the nation’s industrial development, ALSCON was designed to produce approximately 193,000 tonnes of aluminium annually, supported by integrated gas-based power infrastructure. Yet, years of ownership disputes, legal controversies and unresolved commercial issues have prevented the company from fully realising its enormous economic potential.
The time has come for the principal actors—the Federal Government of Nigeria, UC RUSAL and BFIG—to rise above their differences and work towards a definitive resolution of the ALSCON impasse. Nigeria cannot afford to allow a strategic industrial asset of this magnitude to remain trapped indefinitely in disputes while the country continues to seek investment, industrial growth, employment and economic diversification.
We therefore call on all three parties to embrace a fresh, constructive and result-oriented dialogue aimed at resolving outstanding issues once and for all. Such an agreement must recognise the relevant legal decisions, address the legitimate concerns of the parties and establish a clear, mutually acceptable pathway towards the successful revival of ALSCON.
The forthcoming Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow presents a valuable opportunity to advance this objective. Given the Russian connection to ALSCON through UC RUSAL, the summit offers an appropriate diplomatic and commercial platform for renewed engagement among the relevant parties.
Rather than allowing the ALSCON controversy to remain an unresolved chapter in Nigeria–Russia economic relations, both countries should use this opportunity to encourage a practical settlement that serves their shared interests.
We urge the Federal Government, UC RUSAL and BFIG to consider negotiating and signing a fresh agreement at the summit, where legally and commercially feasible, to move the ALSCON matter towards a conclusive settlement. The agreement should establish clear commitments, an implementation timetable, a credible dispute-resolution mechanism where necessary, and measurable milestones for restoring the plant to operation.
The objective must go beyond settling the question of ownership. It must produce a workable plan for rehabilitation, financing, management, reliable energy supply, workforce mobilisation and the eventual return of ALSCON to sustainable production.
A successful agreement would send a positive signal to international investors that Nigeria can resolve complex industrial disputes through dialogue, respect for legal obligations and transparent commercial arrangements.
The Ibom Minerals, Energy and Maritime Professional Association (IMEMPA), as a professional organisation committed to industrial development and representing the interests and aspirations of the greater Akwa Ibom State host community, recognises the urgency of resolving the ALSCON question.
IMEMPA will be represented at the Moscow conference to advocate a successful conclusion of the impasse and a credible plan for resuscitating the company. Our interest is not to take sides in the dispute between the principal parties, but to encourage a fair and sustainable outcome that protects the national interest, respects legitimate rights and restores ALSCON to productive operation.
For Akwa Ibom State, the revival of ALSCON represents far more than the reopening of a factory. It offers the prospect of employment, renewed business opportunities, improved economic activity, skills development and greater participation in the industrial economy. For Nigeria, it represents an opportunity to recover productive capacity, strengthen domestic manufacturing and demonstrate that strategic industrial investments can be rescued from prolonged disputes.
IMEMPA believes that professional engagement, constructive mediation and sustained stakeholder participation can help build confidence among the parties and ensure that the interests of the host communities are not overlooked in any final settlement.
The National Interest Must Prevail
We also call on the Federal Government to ensure that the search for a settlement is protected from manipulation, political power play and undue influence from any quarters that could frustrate a mutually beneficial agreement. Decisions concerning ALSCON must be guided by the national interest, applicable laws, commercial realities and the long-term welfare of Nigerian citizens.
Any attempt to derail a reasonable settlement for narrow political, personal or sectional interests would prolong uncertainty and further delay the benefits that a revived ALSCON could deliver. The government must therefore provide the necessary leadership, transparency and consistency to ensure that legitimate negotiations are not undermined.
At the same time, all parties must approach the process in good faith, recognise their respective obligations and demonstrate the flexibility required to reach a durable agreement. A settlement that cannot be implemented will only perpetuate the problem. What Nigeria needs is a practical agreement that takes ALSCON from controversy to production.
The story of ALSCON is a reminder that establishing an industrial project is only the beginning; protecting its investment, resolving disputes and sustaining production are equally important responsibilities.
The Russia–Africa Summit offers an opportunity to turn years of disagreement into a new chapter of cooperation. The Federal Government, UC RUSAL and BFIG must seize that opportunity.
IMEMPA stands ready to contribute constructively to the process, advocate for the host communities and support a credible roadmap for ALSCON’s revival.
The ultimate measure of success will not be the signing of an agreement alone, but the return of ALSCON to productive operation, the creation of jobs, the restoration of investor confidence and the delivery of tangible benefits to Nigerians.
The ALSCON dream must not remain unfinished. The time has come to resolve the impasse, revive the plant and turn a prolonged national industrial disappointment into a lasting success story for Nigeria.
Pius Ebong is the Vice President Solid Minerals and Renewable energy IMEMPA.
