The Federal Government has accused embattled mining company Jupiter Ltd of attempting a “campaign of calumny” against Nigeria during President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom, following a dispute over revoked mineral licences.

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said the alleged effort aimed to discredit ongoing reforms in the mining sector and mislead the international community regarding the revocation of certain mineral titles.

In a statement on Sunday, Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, dismissed claims that Nigeria seized a British lithium project under armed guard, calling them false and misleading.

Tomori emphasized that the Federal Government has no legal or contractual relationship with any entity named Jupiter Lithium, noting that Nigerian law prohibits foreign companies from directly holding mineral licences.

According to the ministry, the controversy arose after Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company linked to Australian national Steve Davis, failed to meet its statutory financial obligations under Nigeria’s mining regulations. This led to the revocation of mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML, and 40533ML, with unpaid annual fees totaling N2.494 billion for 2024 and 2025.

The ministry also denied allegations that the revoked licences were reassigned to a Chinese firm, describing such claims as fabricated to mislead both domestic and international audiences.

Tomori added that Davis has interests in several Nigerian mining companies, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Basin Mining Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd, and Iron Ore Mining Ltd. The government said these arrangements are often used to acquire mineral titles without actual mining operations, a practice it is determined to end.

“The Tinubu administration will not tolerate past practices that stunted the mining sector’s growth. Reforms that have enhanced transparency and attracted global interest are here to stay,” Tomori stated. He urged Nigerians and the international community to be wary of attempts by discredited individuals to undermine the government’s reform agenda.

The ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming the mining sector into a major contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, emphasizing that only investors who comply with Nigerian mining laws will be welcome. Incentives such as tax waivers on imported mining equipment and full repatriation of profits have been introduced to attract responsible investment.

President Tinubu is scheduled to visit the United Kingdom from March 18–19, 2026, at the invitation of King Charles III. The visit will focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties, including cooperation in trade, investment, security, and migration. This will be the first state visit by a Nigerian President to the UK in 37 years.