Alake Denies $700 Billion Minerals Sale, Inaugurates Nigeria–US Committee

Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, denied that the country had sold $700 billion worth of minerals to the United States, saying no national assets had been transferred. In Abuja, he inaugurated the Nigeria–US Committee on Strategic Cooperation in the solid minerals sector and said the agreement is intended to connect American investors with Nigerian operators. Alake also defended a requirement for local mineral processing before mining titles are granted, pointing to a recently commissioned lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State.