• The Federal government has reportedly alleged Jupiter Ltd of planning a smear campaign during Tinubu’s UK state visit
• The dispute stemmed from revoked mineral licences belonging to Basin Mining Ltd after the company allegedly failed to pay N2.494bn in statutory service fees for 2024 and 2025
• President Tinubu is set to visit the United Kingdom from March 18–19, 2026, hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle

Nigeria’s Federal Government has accused an embattled mining firm, Jupiter Ltd, of planning a campaign to tarnish the country’s reputation during the upcoming state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom.

According to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the company is allegedly preparing to circulate misleading information about Nigeria’s mining sector following a dispute over revoked mineral licences.

In a statement issued on Sunday, March 15,  by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, the government said the alleged campaign was aimed at undermining ongoing reforms in the country’s mining industry and misleading the international community.

The ministry also rejected claims that Nigerian authorities seized a British-owned lithium project under armed guard, describing the allegation as false and misleading.

Dispute linked to revoked licences

Tomori explained that the controversy arose after the government revoked several mineral titles belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company linked to Australian national Steve Davis.

According to the ministry, the revocation followed the company’s failure to meet statutory financial obligations required under Nigeria’s mining regulations.

He said the company failed to pay annual service fees amounting to N2.494bn for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, leading to the cancellation of its mineral licences.

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

The ministry insisted that the revocation was carried out in line with existing regulations after the company was duly notified of the outstanding obligations.

FG denies relationship with Jupiter Lithium

Tomori further dismissed claims that Nigeria had any formal relationship with a company called Jupiter Lithium.

He stressed that the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act does not permit foreign companies to directly hold mineral titles in the country.

According to him, claims that the licences were reassigned to a Chinese firm are entirely fabricated and intended to mislead both the public and the international community.

The ministry also alleged that Davis had business interests in multiple mining companies operating in Nigeria, including:

• Comet Minerals Ltd
• Basin Mining Ltd
• Range Mining Ltd
• Northern Numero Ltd
• Sunrise Minerals Ltd
• Iron Ore Mining Ltd

Officials said such structures are often used by speculators who acquire mineral licences without undertaking actual mining activities.

The Federal Government said the revocation reflects its commitment to enforcing stricter regulations in the mining sector.

Authorities noted that speculative practices have contributed to dormant mining licences and illegal mining activities across the country.

The ministry said the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains determined to eliminate such practices as part of broader reforms aimed at repositioning the mining sector as a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy.

Officials also warned that the government would not be pressured or blackmailed into reversing reforms designed to promote transparency and investor confidence.

Nigeria seeking serious investors

The government reaffirmed that Nigeria remains open to responsible investors willing to operate within the framework of the country’s laws.

It highlighted several incentives introduced to attract genuine investors, including:

• Tax waivers on imported mining equipment
• Full repatriation of profits
• Regulatory reforms to improve ease of doing business

These measures, according to the ministry, are already attracting growing global interest in Nigeria’s mineral resources, particularly lithium, which is widely used in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage technologies.

Tinubu’s historic UK state visit

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to embark on a state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, following an invitation from Charles III.

The Nigerian leader is expected to be hosted at Windsor Castle.

The visit is expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation between both countries in areas such as trade, investment, security and migration.

It will also mark the first state visit by a Nigerian president to the UK in 37 years, with previous visits taking place in 1973, 1981 and 1989.