Press Release
The Federal Government has accused an embattled mining company, Jupiter Ltd, of planning a campaign to discredit Nigeria during the forthcoming state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom.
The allegation was made by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, which claimed the company intended to circulate misleading information about Nigeria’s mining sector following the revocation of certain mineral licences.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the ministry’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, the government described the alleged move as a “campaign of calumny” aimed at undermining the country’s mining reforms and misleading the international community.
According to the statement, the controversy arose after the revocation of mineral titles belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company linked to an Australian national, Steve Davis.
The revocation followed the company’s failure to meet statutory financial obligations under Nigeria’s mining regulations.
Tomori explained that Basin Mining Ltd defaulted in paying annual service fees amounting to N2.494 billion for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
The unpaid fees, according to him, covered mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML and 40533ML, which were revoked after due notice was served on the company in line with existing laws.
He dismissed allegations circulating in foreign media that Nigeria had seized a British lithium project under armed guard, describing the claims as false and misleading.
“The Federal Government, through the ministry and the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office, has no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as Jupiter Lithium,” Tomori said, adding that the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act prohibits foreign companies from directly holding mineral licences.
The ministry 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 often used by speculators to obtain mineral titles without carrying out actual mining operations, contributing to the proliferation of dormant licences and illegal mining activities in the country.
Tomori also dismissed claims that the revoked licences were reassigned to a Chinese company, describing the allegation as a fabrication intended to mislead the public and the international community.
“The government’s strict application of regulations caught up with them. Instead of complying with Nigerian laws, some operators attempt to discredit the reforms when they are held accountable,” the statement said.
The ministry reiterated that the administration of President Tinubu remained committed to restoring transparency, accountability and investor confidence in the mining sector.
It added that ongoing reforms were aimed at transforming the solid minerals industry into a major contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, while attracting responsible investors.
Nigeria has recently intensified efforts to develop its vast mineral resources, including lithium, gold, iron ore and rare earth elements, as part of a strategy to diversify the economy away from crude oil dependence.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu is expected to undertake a state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19 at the invitation of 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, particularly in trade, investment, security and migration.
It will also mark the first state visit by a Nigerian president to the UK in nearly four decades.
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