Sani Seeks Scrutiny of Reported $700bn Nigeria-US Mining Deal

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has called for greater transparency and parliamentary scrutiny of the reported $700 billion mineral exploration deal between Nigeria and the United States.

Sani, in a statement on his X handle, described the reported agreement, reached on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, as a commendable achievement but said its details should have been made public earlier for parliamentary scrutiny.

He said such scrutiny would help ensure that Nigeria’s national interests, as well as those of communities hosting the country’s mineral resources, were adequately protected.

Sani cautioned that the deal should not simply be a replacement for Chinese mining companies or an attempt to appease any foreign interest.

He also raised security concerns over mineral exploration, noting that many communities hosting deposits of lithium, gold, rare earth minerals and uranium are affected by banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, security must therefore be a key consideration in any agreement involving mineral exploration in such areas.

“A mineral deal is not just an economic issue but also a sovereignty issue that must be treated seriously,” Sani said.

He further warned that agreements with major global powers require careful scrutiny because reversing them could be difficult once concluded.

“When you sign a deal with a Superpower, you can’t easily ‘unsign’,” he said.

Sani added that the implications of such an agreement could extend to future generations, stressing the need to ensure that the terms protect Nigeria’s sovereignty and long-term national interests.

He therefore called for the reported deal to receive appropriate scrutiny, including consideration of its implications for mineral-rich host communities and national security.