FG Alleges Plot To Embarrass Tinubu During UK State Visit

The Federal Government has alleged that a controversial mining company, Jupiter Ltd, is planning a campaign intended to embarrass President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom.
According to government officials, the alleged move is part of a broader effort to discredit the reforms currently taking place in Nigeria’s mining sector and mislead the international community about the circumstances surrounding the revocation of certain mineral licences.

The claim was made by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Media to the minister, Segun Tomori.
The ministry said Jupiter Ltd had been circulating claims alleging that Nigeria seized a British lithium project using armed security operatives, an allegation the government described as false and misleading.
Tomori maintained that the Federal Government has no legal or contractual relationship with any entity known as Jupiter Lithium. He added that Nigerian law does not permit foreign companies to directly hold 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 of Nigeria during the state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom,” the statement said.
The ministry explained that the dispute stems from the revocation of mineral titles held by Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company reportedly linked to Australian national Steve Davis.
According to the government, the company lost its mineral titles after failing to meet statutory financial obligations under Nigeria’s mining regulations.
Officials disclosed that Basin Mining Ltd accumulated unpaid annual service fees amounting to ₦2.494 billion for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
The affected titles — 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML and 40533ML — were revoked after the company was duly served notice in line with existing regulations.
The ministry also dismissed allegations that the revoked licences were reassigned to a Chinese company, describing the claim as a deliberate fabrication aimed at misleading both Nigerians and the international community.
According to the statement, Davis is linked to several mining companies operating in Nigeria, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Basin Mining Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.
The government said such networks are commonly used by speculators to obtain mineral licences without conducting actual mining activities, a practice authorities say contributes to dormant licences and illegal mining operations.
The ministry maintained that ongoing reforms are aimed at eliminating such practices and repositioning the mining sector as 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 remains committed to transforming the mining sector into a significant contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu is expected to undertake a state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19 following an invitation from King Charles III, who will host the Nigerian leader at Windsor Castle.
The visit is expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, including cooperation in trade, investment, security and migration.