The Federal Government of Nigeria has accused an embattled mining company, Jupiter Ltd, of attempting to orchestrate a “campaign of calumny” against the country during President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom, following a dispute over revoked mineral licences.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said the alleged scheme aimed to mislead the international community about the circumstances surrounding the revocation of certain mineral titles and to discredit the government’s ongoing reforms in the mining sector.
In a statement on Sunday, Segun Tomori clarified that claims Nigeria seized a British lithium project under armed guard were false. He emphasized that the Federal Government has no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as Jupiter Lithium, noting that Nigerian law prohibits foreign companies from directly holding mineral titles.
“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 during President Tinubu’s UK visit,” the statement read.
The ministry explained that the controversy stemmed from the revocation of mineral titles belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company linked to Australian national Steve Davis, who allegedly fronts multiple mining entities operating in Nigeria.
The revocation followed the company’s failure to meet statutory financial obligations under Nigerian mining regulations, including unpaid annual service fees totaling ₦2.494 billion for 2024 and 2025.
“The bone of contention is the strict application of regulations governing the mining sector, which necessitated the revocation of mineral titles held by Basin Mining Ltd,” Tomori said. He dismissed claims that the titles were reassigned to a Chinese firm, calling the allegation a fabrication intended to mislead both domestic and international audiences.
The ministry further highlighted that Davis has interests in multiple Nigerian mining companies, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Basin Mining Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd, and Iron Ore Mining Ltd. Authorities say such arrangements allow speculators to hold mineral titles without conducting actual mining operations, contributing to dormant licences and illegal mining activities.
“Jupiter, though unknown to the mining authorities, peddled falsehoods by claiming its titles were revoked in favour of a Chinese firm. This is a complete fabrication,” Tomori said. “Instead of adhering to Nigerian mining laws, Davis operates surreptitiously, acquiring mineral titles without developing them. The government’s strict enforcement has caught up with him.”
The ministry stressed that the Tinubu administration remains committed to reforms aimed at restoring transparency, accountability, and investor confidence in Nigeria’s mining sector. Initiatives include tax waivers on imported mining equipment, provisions for full repatriation of profits, and regulatory measures to ease the business environment.
“We urge Nigerians and international stakeholders to disregard attempts by discredited individuals to undermine the country’s reform agenda,” Tomori said. “Our commitment to transforming the mining sector into a major contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product is unwavering. Serious investors operating within the law are welcome.”
President Tinubu is scheduled to embark on a historic state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, at the invitation of King Charles III, who will host him at Windsor Castle.
The visit—Nigeria’s first presidential state visit to the UK in 37 years—is expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties, including trade, investment, security, and migration cooperation.
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