The Federal Government has accused a mining company, Jupiter Ltd, of planning what it described as a smear campaign against Nigeria during the upcoming state visit of Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom.
The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said the alleged move was aimed at discrediting ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector and misleading the international community about the circumstances surrounding the revocation of certain mineral licences.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, the ministry rejected claims that Nigeria seized a British lithium project under armed guard, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
Tomori explained that the Federal Government had no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as “Jupiter Lithium,” noting that Nigerian mining laws do not allow foreign companies to directly hold mineral titles.
According to him, the ministry recently responded to allegations published under the headline claiming that Nigeria seized a British lithium project. He said the response clarified the government’s position and addressed what officials described as a series of false claims.
The ministry said the dispute stemmed from the revocation of mineral titles belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company linked to an Australian national, Steve Davis.
Officials explained that the licences were withdrawn after the company failed to meet its financial obligations under Nigeria’s mining regulations.
According to the government, Basin Mining Ltd failed to pay statutory annual service fees amounting to about ₦2.494bn for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. The unpaid fees covered several mineral titles which were eventually revoked after due notice was issued in line with the law.
The ministry also dismissed reports suggesting that the revoked licences were later transferred to a Chinese firm, describing the claim as fabricated and intended to mislead both Nigerians and the international community.
It further alleged that Davis had interests in several other mining companies operating in Nigeria, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.
According to the ministry, such arrangements are sometimes used by speculators to obtain mineral titles without carrying out actual mining activities. Officials say this practice has contributed to the growing problem of dormant mining licences and illegal mining operations across the country.
The government maintained that it would not be pressured into abandoning reforms in the sector.
“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 said, adding that efforts to transform the mining sector into a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy would continue.
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Authorities also urged both Nigerians and international stakeholders to ignore what they described as attempts by discredited individuals to undermine the country’s 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 strategy to reduce dependence on crude oil and boost economic diversification.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu is scheduled to visit the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, following an invitation from Charles III. The British monarch 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, with discussions likely to cover trade, investment, security cooperation and migration.
