France not taking over Nigeria’s mining sector, Presidency clarifies

December 06, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Presidency has moved to debunk speculations that France is taking over Nigeria’s mining and solid minerals sector.

This clarification comes after President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to France, where Nigeria and France signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop joint projects in the solid minerals sector.

According to Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, “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.”

Dare emphasized that Nigeria did not sign away its mining rights and will comply with international global standards upon which MoUs are based.

The partnership aims to promote and diversify both countries’ critical mineral value chains in the solid minerals sector.

As part of the agreement, Nigeria and France will collaborate on research, training, and Franco-Nigerian student exchanges to transfer knowledge and skills. The partnership will also focus on sustainable mining activities, reducing environmental impact, and promoting transparency.

Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements are essential to clean energy technologies.

The MoU is expected to open new opportunities for the remediation of over 2,000 abandoned pits in Nigeria and improve the conditions of local residents affected by mining.