NIGERIA-US MINERALS DEAL: ADVOCACY FIRM SEEKS PUBLICATION OF SIGNED MOU

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By: Fasasi Hammad

A United States advocacy firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has called on the administration of President Donald Trump to make public the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Nigerian governments on critical minerals.

The firm made the call in a post on its verified X handle, saying publication of the agreement would help address allegations of corruption surrounding the deal.

According to the firm, the integrity of the United States is at stake as Democratic lawmakers signal plans to scrutinise critical-minerals agreements negotiated by the Trump administration and the officials involved in the negotiations.

The United States and Nigeria reportedly signed a framework agreement in New York on September 24 to strengthen cooperation and investment in Nigeria’s mining sector.

The agreement covers areas including geological data and exploration, mineral development and processing, infrastructure, and technical capacity.

Von Batten-Montague-York urged the US State Department to release the signed document, arguing that greater transparency was necessary to address allegations of corruption and alleged “pay-to-play” arrangements.

The firm also referred to concerns surrounding the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

“The integrity of the United States is on the line. Democrats are openly signaling plans to investigate the Donald Trump Administration’s critical-minerals deals and the officials involved in negotiating them,” the firm stated.

It added that Democratic lawmakers had raised allegations of corruption and “pay-to-play” in connection with the agreements.

The advocacy firm further argued that the release of the signed MoU would help address questions being raised in Nigeria and the United States regarding the critical-minerals agreement.

It said publication of the document was essential to dispel what it described as growing allegations of corruption surrounding the deal.