The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) has dismissed claims by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) alleging that the Federal Government sited a gold refinery in Lagos in violation of the federal character principle. The Ministry described the allegation, contained in a statement signed by NEF spokesperson Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, as false and misleading, stressing that there is no federal government–owned gold refinery in Lagos or anywhere else in the country. According to the Ministry, the newly established gold refinery referenced by NEF is a private-sector initiative of Kian Smith, a 100 per cent privately owned mining company. The refinery was developed to support the growth of Nigeria’s local gold industry through innovation and value addition. The Ministry clarified that at no point did the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, announce that the Federal Government had established or owned a gold refinery in Lagos.

Source: The Guardian January 19, 2026 12:05 UTC