FG ALLEGES PLOT TO EMBARRASS TINUBU DURING UK VISIT OVER MINING DISPUTE
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
The Federal Government has alleged that an embattled mining firm, Jupiter Ltd., is 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 Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said the alleged move was intended to undermine ongoing reforms in the mining sector and mislead the international community over the circumstances surrounding the revocation of certain mineral licences.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, the ministry rejected claims that Nigeria seized a British lithium project under armed guard, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
Tomori stated that the Federal Government had no legal or contractual relationship with any company identified as Jupiter Lithium, stressing that Nigerian mining laws do not permit foreign companies to directly hold mineral titles.
The statement read, “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.
“Earlier in the week, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kehinde Bamigbetan, authored a response to what we described as a tissue of falsehoods sponsored by Jupiter Ltd in a publication titled ‘Nigeria Seizes British Lithium Project Under Armed Guard.’
“Our response, titled ‘In Nigeria’s Mining Sector, The Law Is No Respecter of Persons,’ exposed the activities of one Steve Davis and Hamish MacDonald, whose enterprise in the mining sector eventually met the full weight of the law.”
According to the ministry, the controversy arose from the revocation of mineral titles belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian firm linked to Davis.
The government said the revocation followed the company’s failure to meet statutory financial obligations under Nigeria’s mining regulations.
Tomori said Basin Mining Ltd. lost its mineral titles after failing to pay statutory annual service fees amounting to ₦2.494bn for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
The unpaid fees covered mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML and 40533ML, which were revoked after due notice was served on the company in accordance with existing regulations.
The ministry also dismissed claims that the titles had been reassigned to a Chinese firm, describing the allegation as a fabrication aimed at misleading the public and the international community.
It further alleged that Davis had interests in several mining firms 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 activities.
The ministry said the practice has contributed to dormant mining licenses and illegal mining operations across the country.
It noted that the Federal Government is determined to end such practices as part of ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the mining sector as a major driver of economic growth.
“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 added.
“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 disregard what it described as attempts by “discredited individuals” to undermine the country’s reform agenda.
Nigeria has intensified efforts in recent years to develop its solid mineral resources, including lithium, gold, iron ore and rare earth elements, as part of a broader strategy to diversify the economy away from crude oil.
Meanwhile, Tinubu is scheduled to embark on a state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, following an invitation from King Charles III, who will host the Nigerian leader at Windsor Castle.
The visit is expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between both countries, including cooperation in trade, investment, security and migration.
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