FG has accused Jupiter Ltd of plotting anti-Nigeria Campaign ahead of Tinubu’s UK visit.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Federal Government has accused an embattled mining company, Jupiter Ltd, of planning what it described as a “campaign of calumny” against Nigeria during the upcoming state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development alleged that the company intends to spread misleading claims aimed at discrediting ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector and confusing the international community about the revocation of certain mineral licences.
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The statement, signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, rejected reports suggesting that Nigeria had seized a British lithium project under armed guard, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
According to Tomori, the Federal Government has no legal or contractual relationship with any company identified as Jupiter Lithium. He added that Nigeria’s mining regulations do not allow foreign companies to directly hold mineral titles.
The ministry also referenced an earlier response by the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media, Kehinde Bamigbetan, which addressed what officials described as a “tissue of falsehoods” published under the headline “Nigeria Seizes British Lithium Project Under Armed Guard.”
Government officials said the dispute arose from the revocation of mineral licences previously held by Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company reportedly linked to Australian national Steve Davis.
According to the ministry, Basin Mining Ltd lost its mineral titles after failing to pay statutory annual service fees totaling ₦2.494 billion for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
The unpaid fees were associated with mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML, and 40533ML, which were revoked after the company was served official notices in accordance with Nigeria’s mining regulations.
The government also dismissed claims that the revoked titles had been reassigned to a Chinese firm, describing the allegation as fabricated and intended to mislead both Nigerians and the international community.
Officials 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.
The ministry said such arrangements are commonly used by speculators to acquire mining titles without conducting actual exploration or production activities, contributing to the problem of dormant licences and illegal mining operations.
According to the government, reforms currently underway in the sector are designed to end such practices and reposition the mining industry as a major contributor to Nigeria’s economic growth.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria cannot and will not be intimidated or blackmailed into abandoning reforms by the actions of any individual or company,” Tomori stated, adding that efforts to strengthen the sector remain a priority.
The ministry urged both Nigerians and international stakeholders to disregard what it described as attempts by “discredited individuals” to undermine Nigeria’s mining 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 dependence.
President 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 is expected to host the Nigerian leader at Windsor Castle.
The visit is expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, with discussions likely to cover trade, investment, security cooperation, and migration.
