The Federal Government of Nigeria has denied reports alleging that President Bola Tinubu signed off Nigeria’s mining rights to France during his recent state visit, dismissing claims that the European country would take over the nation’s mining and solid minerals sector.
In a statement titled “The Facts: Nigeria-France MOU on Critical Minerals”, shared via X by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, the presidency clarified that Nigeria did not relinquish its mining rights.
It should be recalled that during his state visit to France, President Tinubu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the European country on behalf of Nigeria.
The agreement allows both nations to collaborate on projects aimed at promoting and diversifying critical minerals value chains in the solid minerals sector.
Dismissing online speculations that France intended to take over Nigeria’s mining and solid minerals industry, the former Minister of Sports and Youth Development emphasized that the MOU complies with international global standards.
“Both parties agreed to adopt international best practices in the execution of programmes and projects to improve the conditions of the local populace affected by mining and ensure transparency,” Dare stated.
Explaining the details of the MOU, Dare said: “The French are not taking over. Nowhere in the document was it agreed or suggested that Nigeria has signed away its mining rights to the French. Nor does the MOU pose any threat to Nigeria’s economic and security interests, as is being maliciously circulated.”
He further noted that the agreement aims to foster joint projects to promote and diversify the critical minerals value chain in the solid minerals sector of both countries. Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements are essential for clean energy technologies.
Highlighting the MOU’s key components, Dare explained:
- The agreement includes collaboration on research, training, and Franco-Nigerian student exchanges to facilitate knowledge and skills transfer.
- It promotes sustainable mining activities by reducing the environmental impact of mining, including carbon emissions, water consumption, and climate change effects.
- The MOU also involves the establishment of joint extractive and processing projects, co-financed by public and private entities, to diversify and secure the supply of critical minerals and decarbonize energy-related projects.
Dare emphasized the MOU’s potential benefits, particularly for environmental rehabilitation and post-mining projects in Nigeria.
“The MOU is expected to open new opportunities for the remediation of over 2,000 abandoned mining pits in the country, ensuring a sustainable approach to managing Nigeria’s solid minerals sector,” he noted.
He added that regular bilateral and multilateral training, seminars, and events would enhance the capacity of administrators in the critical metals sector, allowing them to better manage the industry’s value chain.
“With President Tinubu’s commitment to environmental rehabilitation and sustainable mining practices, this MOU will be of immense benefit to the country,” Dare concluded.
