The Federal Government of Nigeria has alleged that a mining company, Jupiter Ltd, is planning what it described as a “campaign of calumny” aimed at embarrassing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom.
The allegation was made by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, which said the move was intended to discredit Nigeria’s ongoing reforms in the mining sector and mislead the international community about 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 dismissed reports claiming that Nigeria seized a British lithium project under armed guard.
Tomori described the allegation as false and misleading, adding that the Federal Government had no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as Jupiter Lithium.
He also explained that Nigerian mining laws prohibit foreign companies from directly holding mineral titles in the country.
“It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development that an embattled mining firm, Jupiter Ltd, plans to orchestrate a campaign of calumny against the Federal Government of Nigeria during the state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom,” the statement said.
According to the ministry, the dispute arose after mineral licences belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company linked to Australian national Steve Davis, were revoked.
The government said the revocation followed the company’s failure to meet statutory financial obligations required under Nigeria’s mining regulations.
Officials stated that Basin Mining Ltd failed to pay statutory annual service fees totaling ₦2.494 billion for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
The unpaid fees covered mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML and 40533ML, which were eventually revoked after due notice was served on the company in accordance with the law.
The ministry also rejected claims that the revoked mining licences were reassigned to a Chinese company, describing the allegation as fabricated.
It further alleged that Davis had interests in several mining firms operating in Nigeria, including:
Comet Minerals Ltd
Basin Mining Ltd
Range Mining Ltd
Northern Numero Ltd
Sunrise Minerals Ltd
Iron Ore Mining Ltd
According to the government, such arrangements are often used by speculators to obtain mineral licences without undertaking actual mining activities.
Authorities say this practice has contributed to dormant licences and illegal mining operations across the country.
The ministry stressed that the Federal Government remains committed to reforms aimed at transforming the mining sector into a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy.
“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.
He added that the government’s goal is to reposition the mining sector as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Tinubu’s UK Visit
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to embark on a state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, following an invitation from King Charles III.
The Nigerian leader is expected to be hosted at Windsor Castle, where discussions will focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between both countries.
Talks during the visit are expected to cover trade, investment, security cooperation and migration issues as Nigeria continues efforts to diversify its economy through sectors such as solid minerals, including lithium, gold and iron ore.
