The Federal Government has alleged that a mining firm is planning a smear campaign against Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his state visit to the United Kingdom.
The allegation was disclosed by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, which said the campaign is connected to disputes surrounding reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector.
Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has been undergoing reforms aimed at improving transparency, attracting investment and reducing illegal mining activities.
The government has introduced measures through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to strengthen regulatory oversight and improve compliance with mining laws.
Officials say these reforms have led to enforcement actions against companies that fail to meet statutory obligations, including the payment of required fees for mineral titles.
Against this backdrop, the ministry said it became aware of plans by a mining firm to launch negative publicity targeting the federal government during the president’s official visit abroad.
In a statement issued by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, the ministry alleged that Jupiter Limited planned to orchestrate what it described as a “campaign of calumny” against the Nigerian government during the president’s visit.
Tomori stated that the ministry had earlier responded to allegations linked to a publication titled “Nigeria Seizes British Lithium Project Under Armed Guard.”
According to him, the government’s response addressed what it described as misleading claims connected to the mining sector.
The statement added that the Federal Government, through the ministry and the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office, has no legal or contractual relationship with a company identified as Jupiter Lithium.
Tomori explained that the dispute originated from the revocation of mineral titles belonging to Basin Mining Limited, a Nigerian company allegedly linked to Australian national Steve Davis.
The titles were withdrawn after the company reportedly failed to pay statutory annual service fees totalling ₦2.494 billion for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
According to the ministry, the revocation followed notices issued in line with legal provisions governing defaults on mining licence payments.
The dispute highlights ongoing regulatory enforcement within Nigeria’s mining sector. Government officials say measures taken by the ministry are intended to ensure compliance with existing laws and improve transparency in the administration of mineral resources.
The ministry also stated that the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 does not permit the direct granting of mining licences to foreign companies, a provision officials say guides regulatory decisions in the sector.
Authorities noted that reforms introduced by the government aim to attract responsible investors and encourage lawful participation in Nigeria’s mining industry.
