In continuation of the Ibom Minerals, Energy & Maritime Professionals Association, IMEMPA’s sustained efforts toward the resuscitation of the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria ALSCON, Engr. Victor Udom the Executive Secretary of IMEMPA, and Engr. Pius Ebong, Vice President, Solid Minerals & Renewable Energy, undertook an official assignment to Abuja to engage relevant Federal Government offices and institutions connected to the revival of ALSCON.
The IMEMPA delegation were mandated by its President Engr. Anthony Akpan a retired zonal manager in Total to seek for appointment to engage all relevant agencies and stakeholders wherever they may be located.
During the course of the assignment, the following Ministries, Agencies, and Government Institutions were visited to secure appointments for strategic engagements;
Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE)
Federal Ministry of Steel Development
Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development
Federal Ministry of Justice
Senate Committee on Solid Minerals.
In the course of carrying out these strategic assignment in Abuja, the IMEMPA delegation was introduced to the newly appointed Nigerian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, His Excellency Ambassador Joseph Olusola Iji, who was at the time conducting a fact-finding mission on Russian business and commercial interests in Nigeria ahead of his formal resumption of duty in Moscow.
Following detailed professional briefings presented by IMEMPA representatives on the economic, industrial, diplomatic, and strategic importance of ALSCON, the Ambassador was sufficiently convinced of the urgent need for renewed intervention toward the revival of the plant. Consequently, His Excellency accepted IMEMPA’s invitation to undertake an official visit to Akwa Ibom State in order to personally ascertain the true operational condition of ALSCON and engage relevant stakeholders directly.
The entire facilitation, logistics coordination, protocol arrangements, and stakeholder engagements associated with the visit were borne and coordinated by IMEMPA. As part of preparations for the visit, the Association also reached out to critical stakeholders connected to ALSCON, including BFIG, RUSAL-ALSCON, the Akwa Ibom State Government, and Ikpa Ibekwe Host Community representatives, among others, all of whom actively participated in the engagements.
During the Ambassador’s three-day visit to Akwa Ibom State from 19th – 21st May 2026, IMEMPA facilitated several strategic meetings and interactive sessions between the Ambassador’s delegation and the following stakeholders:
Akwa Ibom State Government (represented by AKICORP)
RUSAL-ALSCON Management, Ikot Abasi, IKPA IBEKWE CLAN (led by the Clan Head-in-Council, Etebom Akpan Nelson Inyang),
BFIG Team (led by its Chairman, Dr. Reuben Jaja).
The engagements provided a rare opportunity for open discussions and constructive interactions among major stakeholders. Useful deliberations were held regarding possible pathways toward amicable settlement of all lingering disputes surrounding ALSCON, in the interest of participating stakeholders.
One of the major highlights of the visit was the interaction with host community stakeholders convened at the Palace of the Clan Head of Ikpa Ibekwe Clan. The gathering comprised representatives from the twelve gazetted villages and four additional yet-to-be gazetted sub-villages within the host community.
Community representatives took turns to passionately lament the prolonged moribund state of ALSCON, which has persisted for well over a decade, with severe socio-economic consequences on the host communities, Akwa Ibom State, and the nation at large. The stakeholders highlighted the collapse of economic activities, unemployment, youth restiveness, decline in local businesses, and loss of industrial opportunities associated with the shutdown of the smelter plant.
His Royal Highness, Etebom Akpan Nelson Inyang, personally appealed to the Nigerian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, His Excellency Ambassador Joseph Olusola Iji, to convey the plight and aspirations of the host communities to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, and to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The Royal Father specifically appealed for urgent intervention toward the speedy resuscitation of ALSCON and subsequent consideration of the host communities in the future ownership and stakeholder structure of the company.
The visit also afforded the Ambassador the opportunity to extract firsthand information from all major stakeholders regarding the principal challenges currently hindering the reopening and sustainable operation of ALSCON.
At the conclusion of the engagements, the Ambassador, who represented the Federal Government of Nigeria during the visit, expressed satisfaction with IMEMPA’s efforts and commitment toward facilitating constructive stakeholder dialogue around ALSCON revival.
His Excellency further assured stakeholders that he would convey credible information on the current status of ALSCON, possible strategies for restarting the plant, and recommendations on future ownership structure and dispute resolution mechanisms to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for necessary consideration and positive action.
The Ambassador and members of his entourage were also availed the warm hospitality for which Akwa Ibom State is widely known and were accommodated at one of the leading hospitality establishments in Uyo — CEEDAPEG Hotels and Suites.
The delegation subsequently departed Uyo for Abuja on 21st May 2026 with renewed optimism regarding the future of ALSCON and the growing strategic relationship between IMEMPA and the Embassy of Nigeria in the Russian Federation.
IMEMPA notes that the success of the entire engagement exercise was made possible through the visionary leadership, commitment, and unwavering support of the Association’s President, Engr. Anthony U. Akpan, Dr. David Udoma-Michaels, Mr. Asuquo Antai and other members of the Board of Directors chaired by Mr. Samuel Ekpenyong Thomas whose guidance and encouragement provided the necessary institutional backing for the initiative.
A comprehensive report containing IMEMPA’s recommendations and proposed roadmap for ALSCON revival will subsequently be transmitted to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through the office of the Nigerian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, for further engagement and necessary action.
