The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) has rejected claims by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) that the establishment of a gold refinery in Lagos violates the federal character principle, describing the allegation as “a parade of ignorance in the service of mischief.”
NEF, through its spokesperson Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, had argued that siting the refinery in Lagos was unfair to the North.
However, a statement from Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, clarified that the refinery is entirely a private initiative owned by Kian Smith, a 100 percent privately held mining company, and is not a federal government project.
“There is no truth in the allegation. The new gold refinery is the initiative of Kian Smith, a fully private company aiming to advance the local gold industry through innovative practices,” the ministry stated.
The statement further emphasized that Minister Dr. Dele Alake had been “very clear and emphatic” about the commissioning of the refinery, highlighting that several other privately owned gold refineries are being developed across the country.
The ministry also praised Nere Emiko, founder and Managing Director of Kian Smith, for her “doggedness and perseverance” in executing the project, noting that it aligns with the Ministry’s Value Addition Policy. Introduced two years ago, the policy seeks to reduce raw mineral exports while encouraging local processing and manufacturing.
According to the ministry, the policy has attracted significant investments and generated thousands of jobs, including a $600 million lithium plant and a $400 million rare earth facility in Nasarawa State, as well as a $200 million lithium plant in Abuja.
The ministry expressed disappointment with NEF’s remarks, lamenting what it described as a “degeneration in the quality of leadership” of the forum, which was once regarded as a respected think tank.
“How could the NEF expect the federal government to dictate where a private company operates, when each company has its own strategy to ensure profitability?” the statement questioned.
The ministry criticized NEF for failing to conduct basic due diligence before making public statements, calling the act “an embarrassing display of ignorance” and suggesting it may be intended to sow mistrust and encourage irresponsible militancy.
Reaffirming its commitment to attracting private investment in the mining sector, the ministry pledged continued support for processing and manufacturing plants nationwide, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a stronger, self-reliant economy.
