The Federal Government has accused an embattled mining company, Jupiter Ltd, of planning a smear campaign against Nigeria during the United Kingdom state visit of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said the firm was allegedly preparing to circulate misleading claims about Nigeria’s mining sector while the president is abroad.

The ministry said the allegations were part of a broader attempt by individuals linked to the company to discredit ongoing reforms in the sector.

According to the statement signed by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, the ministry had earlier responded to what it described as false claims published under the headline “Nigeria Seizes British Lithium Project Under Armed Guard.”

Tomori said the government’s rebuttal, titled “In Nigeria’s Mining Sector, The Law Is No Respecter of Persons,” addressed what it called misleading allegations allegedly promoted by Steve Davis and Hamish MacDonald.

The ministry maintained that the Federal Government has no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as Jupiter Lithium, stressing that Nigeria’s mining laws prohibit the issuance of mining licences to foreign companies.

It explained that the dispute arose from the revocation of mineral titles belonging to a Nigerian firm, Basin Mining Ltd, which it said was linked to Davis, an Australian national.
According to the ministry, the revocation followed the company’s failure to pay statutory annual service fees amounting to ₦2.494 billion for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.

The affected mineral titles include 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML and 40533ML.

The ministry said the revocation was carried out in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007, after the company was duly notified of its default.

It also dismissed claims that the licences were revoked in favour of a Chinese firm, describing the allegation as completely false.

The government accused Davis of operating as a mining speculator who allegedly establishes companies to obtain mineral titles without undertaking actual mining activities.
According to the ministry, Davis is listed as a director in several firms, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Basin Mining Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.

It said such practices contribute to Nigeria’s challenge of illegal mining, as some speculators obtain licences but fail to develop mining operations, thereby preventing genuine investors from participating in the sector.

The ministry stressed that the current administration is committed to enforcing regulations in the mining industry to curb illegal practices and promote transparency.

It added that reforms being implemented by the government have already begun attracting increased international interest in Nigeria’s mining sector.

The ministry warned that attempts by any individual or company to undermine the government’s reform efforts would not succeed.

It also reassured investors that Nigeria remains open to legitimate mining investments conducted in accordance with the law.

To encourage responsible investment, the government said it has introduced incentives including tax waivers on imported mining equipment, full repatriation of profits and other measures designed to improve the ease of doing business in the mining sector.

The ministry therefore urged Nigerians and the international community to disregard what it described as attempts by discredited individuals to spread misinformation about Nigeria’s mining industry.