• Ministry of Solid Minerals Development says Lagos gold refinery is private, not government-owned

• Northern Elders Forum alleged violation of federal character principle; FG calls claim false and misleading

• Private investment in gold refinery reflects government’s value-addition policy, boosting jobs and local processing

The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has rejected claims by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) that the Federal Government plans to site a gold refinery in Lagos. According to the Ministry, the allegation is false and misleading.

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Mr Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, clarified that the refinery is a private initiative by Kian Smith, led by Ms Nere Emiko, and that the Federal Government neither owns nor established it. He emphasized that the government cannot dictate the location of private-sector investments.

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The ministry highlighted that several other privately-owned gold refineries are in development across the country, aligned with the government’s value-addition policy, which discourages export of raw minerals and promotes local processing.

Tomori also cited other major private investments in the solid minerals sector, including:$600 million lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State, $400 million rare earth minerals plant in Nasarawa, $200 million ASBA lithium plant in Abuja.

These projects have attracted foreign investment, created thousands of jobs, and expanded Nigeria’s non-oil revenue base. The Ministry urged the NEF to support the government’s efforts to diversify the economy and strengthen self-reliance.