Nigeria’s Federal Government says it has uncovered plans by mining firm Jupiter Ltd to launch what it described as a smear campaign against the country during President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said the alleged move followed a dispute over revoked mineral licences and was aimed at discrediting reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the minister’s media aide, Segun Tomori, the ministry rejected claims circulating online that Nigeria seized a British lithium project under armed guard. It said the allegation was false and intended to mislead the international community.
Tomori said the government had no legal or contractual relationship with any company called Jupiter Lithium. He added that Nigerian mining laws prohibit foreign firms from directly holding mineral titles.
The ministry said the controversy stemmed from the revocation of licences belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company linked to Australian national Steve Davis. Officials said the licences were withdrawn after the company failed to meet statutory financial obligations.
According to the government, Basin Mining Ltd owed about ₦2.49bn in unpaid annual service fees for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. The unpaid fees covered several mineral titles, including 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML and 40533ML.
Tomori said the revocation followed due notice and was carried out in line with existing mining regulations.
The ministry also rejected claims that the licences were reassigned to a Chinese company. It described the allegation as a fabrication designed to damage Nigeria’s reputation.
Officials said Davis had interests in several mining firms operating in Nigeria, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.
The government said such arrangements were often used by speculators to obtain licences without carrying out real mining operations. Authorities say this practice has contributed to dormant licences and illegal mining activities across the country.
The ministry said the Tinubu administration would continue enforcing mining regulations as part of wider reforms to strengthen the sector.
Nigeria has stepped up efforts to develop its solid mineral resources, including lithium, gold and iron ore, as part of a broader push to diversify the economy away from oil.
President Tinubu is expected to visit the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19 at the invitation of King Charles III. The trip will focus on trade, investment, security and migration cooperation.
The visit will mark the first state visit by a Nigerian president to Britain in 37 years.
