By John Umeh
Nigeria’s Federal Government has alleged that a dispute over revoked mineral licences has triggered a calculated attempt to embarrass the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom.
According to officials from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, an embattled mining firm, Jupiter Ltd, is allegedly preparing to spread misleading narratives about Nigeria’s mining sector in what authorities described as a “campaign of calumny” aimed at undermining the government’s reform agenda.
The ministry claimed the alleged campaign is intended to mislead the international community and portray Nigeria negatively following the government’s decision to revoke certain mineral licences linked to a Nigerian company, Basin Mining Ltd.
In a statement issued by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, the government dismissed claims that Nigeria seized a British lithium project under armed guard. Tomori described the allegations as false and deliberately misleading.
He explained that the Federal Government has no legal or contractual relationship with any entity called Jupiter Lithium, stressing that Nigerian mining laws do not permit foreign companies to directly hold mineral titles.
According to the ministry, the controversy began after authorities revoked several mineral licences belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company reportedly connected to Australian businessman Steve Davis.
Officials said the revocation followed the company’s failure to meet statutory financial obligations under Nigeria’s mining regulations. Basin Mining Ltd reportedly owed about ₦2.494 billion in unpaid annual service fees covering the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
The affected mineral titles — 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML and 40533ML — were revoked after the company allegedly failed to comply with payment requirements despite receiving due notice from regulators.
Government officials also rejected claims that the revoked licences were reassigned to a Chinese firm, describing the allegation as a fabrication intended to damage Nigeria’s reputation.
The ministry further alleged that Davis has interests in several mining companies operating in Nigeria, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.
Authorities claim such arrangements are sometimes used by speculators who obtain mineral licences without carrying out actual mining operations, a practice the government says has contributed to dormant licences and illegal mining activities across the country.
Officials insist that the recent enforcement action is part of broader reforms aimed at restoring transparency, accountability and productivity in Nigeria’s mining sector.
The government also maintained that it will not bow to pressure or blackmail to reverse policies designed to strengthen regulation and ensure that investors comply with existing laws.
Nigeria has been pushing to develop its vast solid mineral resources — including lithium, gold, iron ore and rare earth elements — as part of efforts to diversify the economy away from crude oil dependence.
Authorities say the reform programme includes incentives such as tax waivers on imported mining equipment, provisions allowing investors to fully repatriate profits, and regulatory improvements designed to make the sector more attractive to responsible investors.
Despite the controversy, officials reaffirmed that Nigeria remains open to foreign investment but warned that all investors must operate strictly within the country’s legal framework.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu is scheduled to embark on a state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to March 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 both countries, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, security cooperation and migration.
It will also mark the first official state visit by a Nigerian president to the United Kingdom in 37 years.
