The Federal Government has rejected allegations that it intends to establish a federal gold refinery in Lagos, describing the claims as inaccurate and misleading.
This response follows a warning by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), which argued that siting a gold refinery in Lagos would breach the federal character principle.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, clarified that the minister never claimed the Federal Government owned or planned to set up a gold refinery in Lagos or any part of the country.
According to Tomori, the refinery referenced is a fully private investment by Kian Smith, stressing that the ministry has no power to determine where private investors locate their businesses.
He explained that Alake had clearly stated that multiple gold refineries are being developed across Nigeria, all of them privately owned by different companies.
Tomori added that the Federal Government does not compel private firms to site their operations in specific locations, as such decisions are based on business efficiency and market factors.
He noted that the refinery aligns with the government’s value-addition policy in the solid minerals sector, aimed at reducing the export of raw minerals while promoting local processing and manufacturing.
The spokesperson said the policy has already led to the establishment of several mineral processing plants nationwide, attracting major foreign investments and generating thousands of jobs.
He cited projects including a $600 million lithium processing plant and a $400 million rare-earth minerals facility in Nasarawa State, as well as a $200 million ASBA lithium plant in Abuja.
Tomori further stated that sustained reforms by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development over the past two years have created a more enabling environment for private sector participation in mining.
He added that projects like the Lagos gold refinery reflect the positive outcomes of these reforms.
“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development will continue to support mining companies in setting up processing and manufacturing plants across the country,” Tomori said.
He urged the NEF to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts toward building a stronger, self-reliant Nigerian economy that benefits all citizens.