The Federal Government of Nigeria has alleged that an embattled mining company is planning a campaign to embarrass President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom.
According to the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the alleged plot is linked to an ongoing dispute involving a mining firm identified as Jupiter Ltd. Government officials claim the company intends to spread misleading information about Nigeria’s mining sector reforms in order to damage the country’s image internationally.
In a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, the government described the alleged campaign as a “campaign of calumny” aimed at discrediting reforms being implemented in Nigeria’s mining sector.
The ministry also dismissed reports claiming that Nigeria seized a British lithium project using armed security operatives. Officials said the claims were false and intended to mislead the international community regarding the circumstances surrounding the revocation of certain mining licences.
According to the government, the dispute stems from the revocation of mineral titles previously held by Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company reportedly linked to an Australian national. Authorities said the licences were withdrawn after the company failed to pay statutory annual service fees amounting to about ₦2.494 billion for 2024 and 2025.
The ministry explained that the revocation followed due process and was carried out in accordance with Nigeria’s mining regulations after the company defaulted on its financial obligations. Officials also rejected allegations that the licences were later reassigned to a Chinese company, describing the claim as fabricated.
Government officials further accused individuals linked to the dispute of using multiple companies to acquire mineral licences without carrying out actual mining operations, a practice they say contributes to dormant licences and illegal mining activities in the country.
Despite the controversy, the Federal Government insisted that it would not be intimidated or blackmailed into reversing its reforms in the mining sector. Authorities said the ongoing reforms are aimed at making Nigeria’s solid minerals sector more transparent and attractive to legitimate investors.
President Tinubu is scheduled to embark on a state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to March 19, where he is expected to hold high-level engagements focused on strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between both countries.
The visit will include discussions on trade, investment, security cooperation, and migration, as Nigeria continues efforts to expand international partnerships and attract foreign investment into key sectors of its economy.
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