Contrary to rumors on social media, the presidency has declared that France is not assuming control of Nigeria’s solid minerals, mining industry, or security rights.
During President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to France, Nigeria and France signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop joint projects to promote and diversify both countries’ critical mineral value chains in the solid minerals sector.
However, the MOU led to speculations online that the European country was planning to take over Niger’s mining sector, solid minerals.
But in a statement issued on Thursday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication Sunday Dare clarified that Nigeria did not sign away its mining rights.
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According to the statement titled “The Facts: Nigeria-France MOU on Critical Minerals,” Dare stated that both countries agreed to collaborate on research, training, and Franco-Nigerian student exchanges for knowledge and skills transfer.
The former Minister of Sports and Youth Development added that Nigeria would comply with international global standards upon which MoUs are based.
He wrote, “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.
“Nigeria and France have agreed to develop joint projects to promote and diversify the critical minerals 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.
“In the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both countries on the sidelines of the official visit to France by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently, both countries agreed to collaborate on research, training, and Franco-Nigerian student exchanges for knowledge and skills transfer.
“A key component of the Memorandum of Understanding is the promotion of sustainable mining activities by executing projects and programs that reduce the environmental impact of mining on carbon emissions, water consumption, and climate change.
“It also includes the establishment of joint extractive and processing projects through co-financing by public and private entities to diversify and secure the supply of critical minerals and decarbonise energy projects critical to the value chain.”
Dare stated that both countries agreed to effectively execute programs and projects to improve the conditions of the local residents affected by mining.
“Both agreed to adopt international best practices in the execution of programs and projects to improve the conditions of the local populace affected by mining and ensure transparency.
“The MOU is expected to open new opportunities for the remediation of over 2,000 abandoned pits in the country through its plan to intervene in environmental rehabilitation and post-mining projects.
“Through regular bilateral and multilateral training, seminars, and events, administrators of institutions in the critical metals sector are expected to improve their capacity to manage the sector’s value chain,” he added.
