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FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery - Politics - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Nairaland General › Politics › FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery (15494 Views)

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FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by alphonsoolajide(op): 8:00am On Jan 19
The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has dismissed claims by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) that the Federal Government is planning to site a gold refinery in Lagos, describing the allegation as false and misleading. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

The NEF, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, had alleged that locating a gold refinery in Lagos violated the federal character principle, suggesting government involvement in the project.

However, reacting to the claim in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Segun Tomori, faulted the position of the Northern elders, insisting that the Federal Government neither owns nor established any gold refinery in Lagos.

Tomori clarified that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, never announced the establishment of a government-owned gold refinery in Lagos or anywhere else in the country.

According to him, the refinery referenced by the NEF is a private initiative undertaken by Kian Smith, a privately owned mining company.

“At no point did Dr Dele Alake state that the Federal Government owns or established a gold refinery in Lagos,” Tomori said.

“The refinery in question is a private venture, and government cannot dictate to a private investor where to locate its business.”

He further explained that the minister had clearly stated that several other gold refineries are in development across the country, all of which are privately owned by different investors.

FG Explains Value-Addition Policy

Tomori noted that the Lagos-based gold refinery reflects the Federal Government’s value-addition policy in the solid minerals sector, which aims to discourage the export of raw minerals and promote local processing and manufacturing.

He described the refinery as an initiative of Kian Smith, led by its founder and Managing Director, Ms Nere Emiko, commending her perseverance and leadership in delivering the project.

“The Federal Government acknowledges the resilience and enterprise of the company’s leadership in bringing a flagship project of this magnitude to fruition,” he added.

The ministry also highlighted other major private-sector investments stimulated by recent reforms in the solid minerals sector, including:

A $600 million lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State

A $400 million rare earth minerals plant also in Nasarawa

A $200 million ASBA lithium plant in Abuja

According to Tomori, these projects have attracted significant foreign investment, created thousands of jobs, and strengthened Nigeria’s non-oil revenue base.

Tomori said reforms introduced by the Ministry over the past two years had created an enabling environment for private-sector participation in mining, adding that projects like the Lagos gold refinery demonstrate the success of those reforms.

He urged the Northern Elders Forum to support ongoing efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to diversify the economy and promote self-reliance.

“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development will continue to encourage mining companies to establish processing and manufacturing plants across Nigeria,” he said.

“We urge the NEF to join hands with the Federal Government in building a stronger, self-reliant economy that serves the interest of all Nigerians.”
https://eyesoflagos.com/2026/01/19/fg-dismisses-northern-elders-claim-lagos-gold-refinery/
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by CodeTemplarr: 8:05am On Jan 19
But these people want crude for Kaduna refinery? Why didnt Dangote build his refinery in Kaduna or his Kano?
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by helinues: 8:11am On Jan 19
The Northerners are sounding like the Tigray people of Ethiopia.

You mismanaged power when you had it
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by Newsmills: 8:45am On Jan 19
But the private gold refinery in Lagos,where will the company get the gold from to refine,proximity to raw material and market are crucial to siting of industry.A lying government.
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by helinues: 8:48am On Jan 19
Newsmills:
But the private gold refinery in Lagos,where will the company get the gold from to refine,proximity to raw material and market are crucial to siting of industry.A lying government.
But some states in South West have gold deposits
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by happney65: 8:54am On Jan 19
But there can be a refinery in Kaduna?
Anyways thats their own problem.

Problem Tinubu and the North niyen.
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by ChonchaLib: 9:17am On Jan 19
Newsmills:
But the private gold refinery in Lagos,where will the company get the gold from to refine,proximity to raw material and market are crucial to siting of industry.A lying government.
As a private project, it can be sited anywhere. The owner will take on the risk of sourcing the raw gold from any place of his or her choice.

Proximity to the raw material would be a variable cost that the plant would incur. The main concern would be to ensure that the markup on overall costs is healthy and competitive vs market levels.

Now there are multiple places to buy gold in the SW or from neighboring countries, but the north would be the most ideal since it's is the closest potent source.
But what happens to their fixed costs, especially for security and other complications from getting mixed up in whatever mafia-terrorist game is going on there. The break even (fixed costs/sales - variable costs) will expand beyond the owner's control.

Only way it'll be sited in the north is if it's sponsored by a northern state. Private individuals will steer clear.
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by Faith0(f): 9:55am On Jan 19
Nothing goes for Nothing
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by dibunotion(m): 9:55am On Jan 19
Bring it to Lagos
They can do nothing
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by PulaPower: 9:55am On Jan 19
According to him, the refinery referenced by the NEF is a private initiative undertaken by Kian Smith, a privately owned mining company.

“At no point did Dr Dele Alake state that the Federal Government owns or established a gold refinery in Lagos,” Tomori said.

Another better private investment. Wailers can keep wailing while people with doings can keep getting things done

Anybody wey no like ham can relocate to Burkina Faso or Niger republic..
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by DeltaBachelor(m): 9:55am On Jan 19
Okay o. FG versus the North. Let’s see how it goes
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by Appletek: 9:57am On Jan 19
Newsmills:
But the private gold refinery in Lagos,where will the company get the gold from to refine,proximity to raw material and market are crucial to siting of industry.A lying government.
Gold dey Osun. Those who want to use theirs to sponsor bandits can keep doing so.
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by HenryWilliams(m): 9:59am On Jan 19
The SW is the logical choice for any foreign company to site it's office.
You want them to site it in Boko Haram enclave where their staff will be killed or kidnapped? You want them to site it in the East where certain elements don't allow work on certain days of the week with documented evidence of murder and mayhem?
The North can't decide anything anymore for anybody.
That ship has long sailed.
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by inoki247:
what's there business with a Private investor...


Can they dictate where Dangote will site is factory..


And for People saying where will they get there raw material Ghana no far to Lagos if worse come to worse.

Ghana is closer to Lagos than North..
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by Lanretoye(m): 10:00am On Jan 19
Newsmills:
But the private gold refinery in Lagos,where will the company get the gold from to refine,proximity to raw material and market are crucial to siting of industry.A lying government.
na idea you get,establish your own refinery anywhere you like,that one come be like magic...the lying government must have made you unable to do so
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by mikeapollo: 10:02am On Jan 19
helinues:
The Northerners are sounding like the Tigray people of Ethiopia.

You mismanaged power when you had it
This your argument is warped!
If the southerners had the right to criticize the northerners when the northerners were mismanaging the country, then the northerners also have the right to criticize the southerners if they think the southerners are not doing the right thing
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by Pious101: 10:03am On Jan 19
Newsmills:
But the private gold refinery in Lagos,where will the company get the gold from to refine,proximity to raw material and market are crucial to siting of industry.A lying government.
the refinery in the north where do they get their crude? In d north I presume based on ur assertion
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by danvon(m): 10:03am On Jan 19
Newsmills:
But the private gold refinery in Lagos,where will the company get the gold from to refine,proximity to raw material and market are crucial to siting of industry.A lying government.
Lagos has the largest market in West Africa plus a good place for shipping, much better than a bandit/religious fanatics region.
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by EponObi(f): 10:03am On Jan 19
According to him, the refinery referenced by the NEF is a private initiative undertaken by Kian Smith, a privately owned mining company.

“At no point did Dr Dele Alake state that the Federal Government owns or established a gold refinery in Lagos,” Tomori said.
When you destroy your region with banditry and terrorism so much that investors avoid and run away from your region to establish a refinery down south, in a state with no tangible raw deposit, everything will look like abracadabra for your eye.

Na your region get better and abundant deposit of gold. It is cheaper for investors to establish refineries in your region but instead they chose to incurr more operating costs by going to Lagos because of insecurity. Continue pampering your bandits and boko boys. You hear?!

The great Warren Buffet once said, "When the tide recedes, you discover who has been swimming naked".

Same goes for the south east.

That said, some states like Osun has gold deposit too. So they have no point. If una wan cry, cry!
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by ELKHALIFAISIS(m): 10:08am On Jan 19
They can not site gold refinery in yoruba land but can't site Niger Delta oil in Kaduna, Hausa land . I thought the resources belong to all of us huh ... Yorubas are the one's deceiving themselves with 1 Nigeria
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by owobokiri(m): 10:10am On Jan 19
But Buhari located Nigerias then biggest oil refinery at kaduna when the whole northern Nigeria had/has no single working Oil well....

Make wuuna dey fear God shaaa
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by opeldavid: 10:12am On Jan 19
Once the Nigerian government denies any allegation then it's true.
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by Bwilliam(m): 10:12am On Jan 19
Okay.
By their logic, the government shouldn't have built a refinery in Kaduna.
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by OneCandleAway(f): 10:12am On Jan 19
The north needs to understand that you need to create an enabling environment to attract investors to site companies around your region. That's how you guys kidnapped workers of the tomato processing plants that was from a foreign investor. Even Buhari had to travel to beg them to come back but those people said no.
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by Moroccoguy: 10:13am On Jan 19
Newsmills:
But the private gold refinery in Lagos,where will the company get the gold from to refine,proximity to raw material and market are crucial to siting of industry.A lying government.
Go to Ilesha and see the level of Gold deposits in there by the way is there Crude oil in Lagos or Kaduna before they site refinery there.
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by EponObi(f): 10:14am On Jan 19
Newsmills:
But the private gold refinery in Lagos,where will the company get the gold from to refine,proximity to raw material and market are crucial to siting of industry.A lying government.
You fit get money go establish gold refinery for Zamfara state?
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by favour32(m): 10:14am On Jan 19
Newsmills:
But the private gold refinery in Lagos,where will the company get the gold from to refine,proximity to raw material and market are crucial to siting of industry.A lying government.
But oil refinery dey kaduna.
Kaduna state get crude oil?
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by otomatic(m): 10:15am On Jan 19
If the FG likes , it can own and site a gold refinery anywhere as long as the location is in the territory of the FGN.

Which one is federal character in locating an industry? Where was the federal character when crude oil refinery was built in Kaduna?
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by helinues: 10:17am On Jan 19
mikeapollo:
This your argument is warped!
If the southerners had the right to criticize the northerners when the northerners were mismanaging the country, then the northerners also have the right to criticize the southerners if they think the southerners are not doing the right thing
And which of the South criticized the North when they were in power?

Hahaha, we have been sensitive with every of our political moves
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by Eniitankorede: 10:19am On Jan 19
Newsmills:
But the private gold refinery in Lagos,where will the company get the gold from to refine,proximity to raw material and market are crucial to siting of industry.A lying government.
Insecurity is the main reason why any investor will not establish industry in the north and southeast. They will find a way to bring the gold to Lagos for refining.
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by gigabyte13: 10:21am On Jan 19
Una get gold, una say na lie una no get
But Una dey follow share oil Money
Una dey always think say una wise.
What stops you guys from establishing a gold refinery in your region
Greereeeeeeeeedddddddd
And you are agitated when someone does
Una go cry ooooooooo
Una go cry tireeere
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Re: FG Rejects Northern Elders’ Claim On Lagos Gold Refinery by Jayhome24: 10:23am On Jan 19
Gold refinery in Lagos, which kind yeye news is this from NEF? I belief this yeye talk must come from el rufai NEF faction.

These people are truly confused so cus of Tinubu everybody come dey act and talj silly like dis? I'm not understanding again I swear.
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