By Femi Mustapha in Kaduna
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has raised sovereignty concerns over the Federal Government’s reported critical minerals agreement with the United States, demanding full disclosure of the deal to protect national interests.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the Forum warned that secrecy surrounding the agreement, reportedly signed in New York on September 23, could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and deprive mineral-producing communities of benefits.
The northern sociocultural organization said the government’s reluctance to disclose the terms, scope, financial commitments, and implementation framework of the agreement makes it difficult to assess its implications for the country.
While acknowledging the potential benefits of foreign investment and technical cooperation, ACF stressed that transparency and accountability are essential in any international partnership involving Nigeria’s strategic mineral resources.
“Full public disclosure, and scrutiny therefrom, are therefore very critical and should not be treated cavalierly,” the statement said.
The Forum clarified that its concern is not cooperation with the United States itself, but whether Nigeria—and particularly its mineral-producing communities—will receive a fair, transparent, and enforceable share of the benefits while retaining control over their resources.
ACF noted that Northern Nigeria is endowed with significant deposits of gold, lithium, lead-zinc, and other commercially valuable minerals that can drive industrial development, generate employment, and increase public revenue.
It warned, however, that an arrangement that prioritizes the extraction and export of raw minerals without adequate local participation, value addition, and regulatory safeguards could erode Nigeria’s sovereignty and leave host communities impoverished.
According to the Forum, mineral development must guarantee local processing, technology transfer, skills acquisition, Nigerian ownership, infrastructure, environmental protection, and fair compensation for affected communities.
The organization also expressed concern that persistent insecurity in parts of Northern Nigeria could expose mineral-rich communities to illegal exploitation, displacement, and environmental degradation if adequate safeguards are not put in place.
“The FGN and relevant security and regulatory institutions should therefore explain the safeguards that will prevent illegal exploitation, protect mining sites and host communities, as well as ensure that proceeds of lawful mineral development contribute to legitimate economic activities,” it said.
ACF demanded clarification on what Nigeria signed, whether the complete agreement, including annexes and side letters, will be published, and what specific investments, financing, infrastructure, and technology the United States committed to provide.
It further questioned whether the deal grants American companies preferential access to Nigerian minerals, exclusive purchasing rights, or other commercial advantages, and what safeguards are in place to preserve Nigeria’s lawful regulatory powers.
The Forum also raised concerns over ownership and control of geological data, responsibility for environmental remediation, and the roles of state governments, traditional institutions, local communities, and artisanal miners.
Citing Section 14(2)(b) and Section 16(1)(a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, ACF insisted that the Federal Government should disclose the agreement without withholding material facts and submit it to legislative oversight for proper scrutiny.
