The Presidency has addressed speculations that France was gaining control over Nigeria’s mining and solid minerals sector.
It could be recalled that during President Bola Tinubu’s recent official visit to France, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was established between Nigeria and France to foster collaborative projects aimed at enhancing and diversifying the critical mineral value chains within the solid minerals sector.
The development has sparked speculations among Nigerians.
However, in a statement released on X on Thursday, Sunday Dare, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, emphasized that Nigeria is committed to adhering to the international standards that underpin such MoUs.
Dare further clarified that Nigeria has not relinquished its mining rights.
Dare said: “The French are not taking over. Nowhere in the document was it agreed or suggested that Nigeria has signed away mining rights to the French, nor does it connote anything against Nigeria’s economic and security interests as being maliciously circulated. No.
“Nigeria and France have agreed to develop joint projects to promote and diversify the critical mineral value chain in the solid minerals sector of both countries.
“Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements are essential to clean energy technologies.”
