The Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kehinde Bamigbetan, has dismissed claims that the Federal Government

The Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kehinde Bamigbetan, has dismissed claims that the Federal Government is ceding Nigeria’s mineral resources to Chinese companies, describing the allegations as false and part of a “campaign of misinformation.”

Bamigbetan was responding to an article by Steve Kefas titled _“How Nigeria’s Mineral Wealth is Being Handed Over to the Chinese,”_ which accused the Minister, Dr. Dele Alake, of favoring Chinese investors over Western companies.

In a statement issued over the weekend in Abuja, Bamigbetan said the claims were politically motivated and timed to discredit the minister after the revocation of mining licences belonging to Basin Mining Limited.

According to the presidential aide, Basin Mining Limited, described as a Nigerian subsidiary of British-Australian firm Jupiter, had its licences revoked for failing to pay statutory annual service fees.

“The company failed to pay fees amounting to N1.223 billion, which later accumulated to N2.494 billion before the revocation,” Bamigbetan explained.

He said instead of complying, Jupiter approached an international arbitration court to challenge the Federal Government, while also allegedly sponsoring media attacks to pressure the ministry into reversing the decision.

Bamigbetan rejected the narrative that Dr. Alake was tilting Nigeria’s mining sector toward China alone.

He said since assuming office, the minister has actively courted investors from Europe, America, Canada, Australia, and other regions.

“Alake has visited China only twice since assuming office — first as part of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit and later to attend the China Mining Week 2025 at the invitation of the Chinese government,” he said.

He added that the minister has also attended major investment platforms such as the London Mines and Money conference and Mining Indaba in Cape Town, and has made investment trips to Australia.

“The idea that he is handing Nigeria over to one country is simply not true,” Bamigbetan said.

The aide argued that Nigeria’s policy of opening the solid minerals sector to foreign participation began in the 1990s, long before the current administration.

He cited the establishment of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and other reforms that created a framework for foreign investment across sectors, including mining.

“What we are doing now is building on that framework, but with a clear focus on local value addition,” Bamigbetan said.

That focus, he explained, is compelling mining companies to process minerals in Nigeria rather than export raw materials.

Bamigbetan noted that several Chinese firms have responded to the government’s policy by setting up processing facilities in Nigeria.

He said this aligns with the Tinubu administration’s goal of creating jobs, retaining value in-country, and reducing the export of raw minerals.

“Nigeria’s economic relationship with China has existed for decades,” he said. “It covers trade, infrastructure, technology and investment. The decision to elevate that relationship to a strategic partnership has also attracted increased investment commitments.”

He added that engaging China in mining is consistent with global realities, given China’s dominance in the processing of many critical minerals needed for technology, energy, and manufacturing.

Bamigbetan stressed that Nigeria has about 44 minerals in commercial quantities and remains open to investors from anywhere in the world, provided they follow Nigerian laws.

“More than 300 companies from Europe, America, Canada and Australia are already active in different segments of our solid minerals sector,” he said.

He also highlighted ongoing technical collaboration between the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency and the China Geological Survey Agency on geological mapping and exploration.

But he insisted that such partnerships do not exclude Western partners. The government, he said, is pursuing similar collaborations elsewhere.

All of these are aimed at ensuring responsible investment, transparency, and growth in the sector,” Bamigbetan said.

Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has long been touted as the next big revenue earner outside oil. But for years, challenges such as illegal mining, poor data, lack of infrastructure, and weak enforcement have limited its potential.

The current administration says it wants to change that by attracting serious investors, formalizing artisanal mining, and ensuring that Nigerians benefit directly through jobs and local processing.

Bamigbetan said the attacks on the minister will not distract the ministry from that goal.

“We welcome scrutiny and debate,” he said. “But we will not allow misinformation to derail reforms that are designed to benefit Nigerians.”

As the ministry continues negotiations with both local and foreign investors, the message from Alake’s office is clear: Nigeria’s minerals are not for sale to any single country. They are open for business — with conditions.

“Whoever wants to invest must add value here, obey our laws, and create opportunities for Nigerians,” Bamigbetan concluded.