Nigerian Govt Alleges Plot By Mining Firm To Tarnish President Tinubu’s State Visit To UK

The Nigerian government has raised concerns that a mining company, Jupiter Limited, is allegedly planning a smear campaign targeting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Tinubu-led federal government accused the firm of orchestrating a smear campaign against it ahead of the president’s state visit to the United Kingdom.

The allegation was made by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in a statement released on Sunday by presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare on his X.

Jupiter had claimed that the Nigerian government revoked its lithium mining project and reassigned it to a Chinese firm.

However, the government dismissed the claim, clarifying that the company’s mineral titles were revoked after it failed to pay statutory annual service fees amounting to N2.49 billion.

“Jupiter… peddled falsehoods by claiming that its titles were revoked in favour of a Chinese firm. This is a complete fabrication,” the statement said.

The government added that the revocation was carried out in line with regulations governing the mining sector after due notice was issued.

It also warned the public against attempts by some individuals to undermine reforms in the industry, insisting that the government would not be pressured.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria cannot and will not be intimidated or blackmailed into abandoning reforms by the antics of any individual or company,” the statement added.