FG alleges mining firm plot to discredit Nigeria during Tinubu’s UK visit

The Federal Government has to accused an embattled mining company, Jupiter Ltd, of planning what it described as a “campaign of calumny” against Nigeria during the forthcoming state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom.

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said the alleged campaign was aimed at undermining ongoing reforms in the mining sector and misleading the international community over the revocation of certain mineral licences.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, dismissed reports claiming that Nigeria seized a British lithium project under armed guard, describing the allegation as false and misleading.

Tomori clarified that the Federal Government had no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as Jupiter Lithium, noting that Nigerian mining laws do not permit foreign companies to directly hold mineral titles.

“It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development that an embattled mining firm, Jupiter Ltd, plans to orchestrate a campaign of calumny against the Federal Government of Nigeria during the state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom,” the statement said.

He recalled that earlier in the week, the Special Adviser to the Minister, Kehinde Bamigbetan, responded to what the ministry described as false claims sponsored by Jupiter Ltd in a publication titled “Nigeria Seizes British Lithium Project Under Armed Guard.”

According to the ministry, the dispute is linked to the revocation of mineral licences held by Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company reportedly connected to an Australian national, Steve Davis.

The government said the licences were withdrawn after the company failed to meet statutory financial obligations under Nigeria’s mining regulations.

Tomori explained that Basin Mining Ltd lost its mineral titles after failing to pay statutory annual service fees totalling ₦2.494bn for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.

The unpaid fees covered mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML and 40533ML, which were subsequently revoked after the company was duly notified in line with regulatory procedures.

The ministry also rejected claims that the revoked licences were later reassigned to a Chinese firm, describing the allegation as a fabrication designed to mislead the public and the international community.

It further alleged that Davis had interests in several mining companies operating in Nigeria, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Basin Mining Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.

According to the government, such arrangements are commonly used by speculators to acquire mineral titles without carrying out actual mining operations, contributing to dormant licences and illegal mining activities.

The ministry said the Federal Government remained committed to ending such practices as part of broader reforms aimed at repositioning the mining sector as a major contributor to the country’s economy.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria cannot and will not be intimidated or blackmailed into abandoning reforms by the antics of any individual or company,” Tomori said.

“Our commitment to transforming the mining sector into a major contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product is unwavering.”

The ministry urged Nigerians and international stakeholders to ignore what it described as attempts by “discredited individuals” to undermine the country’s reform agenda.

Nigeria has in recent years intensified efforts to develop its solid mineral resources — including lithium, gold, iron ore and rare earth elements — as part of plans to diversify the economy away from crude oil.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to undertake a state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, following an invitation from Charles III, who will host the Nigerian leader at Windsor Castle.

The visit is expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries, including cooperation in trade, investment, security and migration.