FG Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plot to Embarrass Tinubu Ahead of UK Visit

The Federal Government has raised concerns over what it described as a coordinated attempt to discredit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigeria’s mining sector ahead of his scheduled state visit to the United Kingdom.

Officials say the alleged plot is linked to a dispute involving revoked mineral licences and claims being circulated internationally by a mining company identified as Jupiter Ltd.

Authorities in the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said the company was planning what it called a “campaign of calumny” designed to portray the Nigerian government in a negative light during the President’s diplomatic trip.

The ministry warned that the move was aimed at misleading foreign audiences about reforms currently being implemented in the country’s mining industry.

The government’s reaction followed claims published abroad alleging that Nigeria forcefully seized a British lithium mining project. Officials insist the narrative is false and intended to distort the circumstances surrounding the revocation of several mineral licences previously held by companies linked to foreign interests.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, the ministry maintained that Nigeria had no formal relationship with any entity known as Jupiter Lithium.

He stressed that existing laws in the country’s mining sector do not permit foreign companies to directly hold mineral titles.

“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,” the statement said.

The ministry explained that the dispute originated from the revocation of mineral licences belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian registered company said to be connected to an Australian national, Steve Davis.

According to the government, the revocation followed the company’s failure to meet financial obligations required under Nigeria’s mining regulations.

Officials said the company defaulted on statutory annual service fees amounting to about N2.494 billion covering the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.

The unpaid obligations were tied to several mineral titles, which were eventually withdrawn after due notices were issued in accordance with existing mining laws.

“The bone of contention is the strict application of regulations governing the mining sector, which necessitated the revocation of mineral titles belonging to a Nigerian company, Basin Mining Ltd, fronted by the said Mr Davis, an Australian national,” Tomori stated.

The government also dismissed allegations that the licences were transferred to a Chinese company, describing the claim as false and deliberately misleading. Officials argued that such narratives were being used to create the impression that Nigeria was favouring foreign investors after removing licences from another firm.

According to the ministry, investigations revealed that Davis allegedly had interests in multiple companies operating within the sector, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd. Authorities said such arrangements were often used by speculators to secure mineral titles without engaging in actual exploration or production.

Officials said this practice has contributed to the problem of dormant mining licences across the country. In many cases, companies acquire mineral assets but fail to develop them, thereby slowing the growth of the industry and encouraging illegal mining activities.

The government said ongoing reforms under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu are designed to address these challenges. Authorities insist the new regulatory measures aim to promote transparency, encourage responsible investment and ensure that Nigeria’s mineral resources are properly developed.

“We made it unequivocally clear that the allegations are baseless and unfounded. 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,” the statement said.

Officials further warned that Nigeria would not be pressured into reversing reforms meant to sanitise the sector. They urged both Nigerians and international stakeholders to disregard claims being circulated against the government.

The administration has in recent years intensified efforts to develop the country’s solid mineral resources as part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on crude oil. Minerals such as lithium, gold, iron ore and rare earth elements are seen as critical to the diversification plan.

Lithium in particular has attracted growing global attention due to its importance in the production of electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems. Nigerian authorities say new policies are being introduced to ensure that investors who enter the sector comply fully with the country’s legal framework.

To attract responsible investment, the government has introduced incentives including tax waivers on imported mining equipment and policies that allow the full repatriation of profits by foreign investors.

Officials say the measures are aimed at improving ease of doing business and strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s mining industry.

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to embark on a state visit to the United Kingdom between March 18 and March 19 following an invitation from King Charles III. The visit will focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between both countries.

The Nigerian leader is expected to meet British officials to discuss cooperation in areas such as trade, security, investment and migration. The trip will also include engagements with investors interested in Nigeria’s growing non-oil sectors, including mining.

The upcoming visit is regarded as historically significant. It will be the first full state visit by a Nigerian President to the United Kingdom in nearly four decades.