ACF Demands Full Disclosure of Nigeria-US Critical Minerals Agreement

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is urging Nigeria’s federal government to disclose details of a critical minerals exploitation agreement reportedly signed with the United States in New York on September 23, 2026. National Publicity Secretary Professor Muhammad-Buba said the deal remains opaque, with its terms, scope, financial commitments and implementation framework not sufficiently available to the public. The ACF says Northern Nigeria’s gold, lithium and lead-zinc deposits could support jobs and industrial development if extraction ensures Nigerian participation, environmental protection and fair benefits for affected communities. It warns that insecurity in the region could leave mining communities vulnerable to unlawful exploitation, displacement and environmental damage.