FG Accuses Jupiter Ltd of Plotting Smear Campaign During Tinubu’s UK Visit
The Federal Government has accused an embattled mining firm, Jupiter Ltd, of planning a campaign of calumny against Nigeria during the state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom.
In a press statement issued by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the government alleged that the company intends to spread false allegations about Nigeria’s mining sector following the revocation of mineral titles linked to a Nigerian firm associated with the company.
The ministry said earlier reports claiming that Nigeria seized a British lithium project under armed guard were misleading and part of what it described as a “tissue of falsehoods” sponsored by Jupiter Ltd.
According to the statement, the Federal Government has no legal or contractual relationship with any entity known as Jupiter Lithium, noting that Nigeria’s mining laws prohibit the granting of mining licences directly to foreign companies.
The controversy, the ministry said, stems from the revocation of mineral titles belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company allegedly fronted by Australian national Steve Davis. The titles were withdrawn after the company reportedly failed to pay statutory annual service fees.
Authorities said the company owed about ₦2.494 billion in unpaid fees covering several mineral titles for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, prompting the revocation in line with existing regulations.
The ministry also dismissed claims that the revoked licences were reassigned to a Chinese firm, describing the allegation as completely fabricated.
It further alleged that Davis is linked to several companies operating in Nigeria’s mining sector, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Basin Mining Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd, and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.
According to the government, such practices contribute to illegal mining and speculative acquisition of licences without actual mining operations, thereby preventing serious investors from developing the sector.
The ministry stressed that ongoing reforms under the Tinubu administration are aimed at restoring transparency and attracting genuine investors to Nigeria’s mining industry.
It urged Nigerians and the international community to disregard what it called attempts by “discredited individuals” to undermine government reforms, adding that the administration remains committed to transforming the mining sector into a major contributor to Nigeria’s GDP.
The government also reiterated that Nigeria remains open to investors willing to operate within the country’s legal framework, highlighting incentives such as tax waivers on imported mining equipment and the full repatriation of profits.
