FG alleges Jupiter Ltd smear plot during Tinubu UK visit, denies claims Nigeria seized British lithium project and defends mining reforms

The Federal Government has accused an embattled mining company, Jupiter Ltd, of planning what it described as a smear campaign against Nigeria during the upcoming state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom.

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The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, who said the alleged effort was intended to discredit reforms in the mining sector and mislead the international community.

According to the ministry, claims circulating in foreign publications that Nigeria seized a British lithium project under armed guard are false and misleading.

Officials insisted that the government has no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as Jupiter Lithium.

“Nigerian mining laws clearly prohibit foreign companies from directly holding mineral titles,” Tomori said, adding that the ministry had earlier responded to what it described as a “tissue of falsehoods” linked to the company.

The statement also referenced an earlier response authored by the Special Adviser to the minister, Kehinde Bamigbetan, which rejected allegations contained in a report titled Nigeria Seizes British Lithium Project Under Armed Guard.

Government officials said the controversy stemmed from the revocation of mineral titles belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company reportedly linked to Australian national Steve Davis.

The titles were withdrawn after the company allegedly failed to meet statutory financial obligations under Nigeria’s mining regulations.

Tomori said Basin Mining Ltd lost several mineral titles after failing to pay annual service fees totalling about ₦2.494bn for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.

The unpaid fees covered mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML and 40533ML, which were revoked after due notice was issued in line with regulatory provisions.

The ministry also dismissed claims that the revoked licences were reassigned to a Chinese firm, describing the allegation as a fabrication designed to mislead the public and international stakeholders.

Officials further alleged that Davis had interests in multiple mining companies operating in Nigeria, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.

Such arrangements, the ministry said, are often used by speculators to secure mineral titles without carrying out actual mining operations.

The government said the practice has contributed to the problem of dormant licences and illegal mining activities in Nigeria’s mining sector.

Authorities insist that ongoing reforms are aimed at ending such practices and repositioning the industry as a key driver of economic growth.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria cannot and will not be intimidated or blackmailed into abandoning reforms by the antics of any individual or company,” Tomori said, describing the administration’s commitment to mining sector reforms as unwavering.

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.

President Tinubu is scheduled to undertake a state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19 following an invitation from King Charles III, who will host the Nigerian leader at Windsor Castle.

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The visit is expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties, including cooperation in trade, investment, security and migration.