The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has dismissed claims by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) that the Federal Government is planning to site a gold refinery in Lagos, describing the allegation as false and misleading. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
The NEF, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, had alleged that locating a gold refinery in Lagos violated the federal character principle, suggesting government involvement in the project.
However, reacting to the claim in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Segun Tomori, faulted the position of the Northern elders, insisting that the Federal Government neither owns nor established any gold refinery in Lagos.
Tomori clarified that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, never announced the establishment of a government-owned gold refinery in Lagos or anywhere else in the country.
According to him, the refinery referenced by the NEF is a private initiative undertaken by Kian Smith, a privately owned mining company.
“At no point did Dr Dele Alake state that the Federal Government owns or established a gold refinery in Lagos,” Tomori said.
“The refinery in question is a private venture, and government cannot dictate to a private investor where to locate its business.”
He further explained that the minister had clearly stated that several other gold refineries are in development across the country, all of which are privately owned by different investors.
FG Explains Value-Addition Policy
Tomori noted that the Lagos-based gold refinery reflects the Federal Government’s value-addition policy in the solid minerals sector, which aims to discourage the export of raw minerals and promote local processing and manufacturing.
He described the refinery as an initiative of Kian Smith, led by its founder and Managing Director, Ms Nere Emiko, commending her perseverance and leadership in delivering the project.
“The Federal Government acknowledges the resilience and enterprise of the company’s leadership in bringing a flagship project of this magnitude to fruition,” he added.
The ministry also highlighted other major private-sector investments stimulated by recent reforms in the solid minerals sector, including:
A $600 million lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State
A $400 million rare earth minerals plant also in Nasarawa
A $200 million ASBA lithium plant in Abuja
According to Tomori, these projects have attracted significant foreign investment, created thousands of jobs, and strengthened Nigeria’s non-oil revenue base.
Tomori said reforms introduced by the Ministry over the past two years had created an enabling environment for private-sector participation in mining, adding that projects like the Lagos gold refinery demonstrate the success of those reforms.
He urged the Northern Elders Forum to support ongoing efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to diversify the economy and promote self-reliance.
“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development will continue to encourage mining companies to establish processing and manufacturing plants across Nigeria,” he said.
“We urge the NEF to join hands with the Federal Government in building a stronger, self-reliant economy that serves the interest of all Nigerians.”
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