The Federal Government has dismissed claims by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) that it plans to establish a gold refinery in Lagos, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
NEF had earlier alleged, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, that the purported decision to site a gold refinery in Lagos violated the federal character principle.
However, reacting in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said no such decision had been taken by the Federal Government. The Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Segun Tomori, clarified that the Minister, Dr Dele Alake, never announced that the government owned or intended to establish a gold refinery in Lagos or anywhere else in the country.
“Dr Dele Alake was very clear, concise and emphatic in the announcement of the proposed inauguration of the refinery, that other gold refineries are in the works across the country and all privately owned by different companies,” Tomori said.
He explained that the Lagos refinery being referenced is a wholly private investment by Kian Smith, stressing that the ministry has no authority to dictate where a private investor should locate its business.
According to him, the refinery is an initiative of Kian Smith, a fully privately owned mining firm, established to support the growth of Nigeria’s local gold industry through modern and innovative methods.
Tomori noted that the Federal Government does not compel private firms to site their operations in specific locations, as such decisions are guided by operational efficiency and market considerations. He added that the ministry commended the resilience and leadership of the company’s founder and Managing Director, Ms Nere Emiko, for delivering the project after years of determination and enterprise.
He further said the refinery aligns with the Federal Government’s value-addition policy in the solid minerals sector, which aims to curb the export of raw minerals while promoting local processing and manufacturing.
According to Tomori, the policy has already attracted significant private investment and spurred the establishment of several mineral processing plants nationwide, creating thousands of jobs for Nigerians. He cited projects such as the $600 million lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State, a $400 million rare earth minerals plant also in Nasarawa, and the $200 million ASBA lithium plant in Abuja.
He added that sustained policy reforms by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development over the past two years have created an enabling environment for private sector participation in the mining industry.
“Projects like the Lagos gold refinery demonstrate the positive impact of the reforms,” Tomori said.
“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development will continue to encourage mining companies to establish processing and manufacturing plants across the country.
“We urge NEF to turn a new leaf and join the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a stronger, self-reliant economy that serves the interests of Nigerians.”
