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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has demanded full disclosure of the reported critical minerals agreement between Nigeria and the United States, warning that secrecy surrounding its terms could compromise national interests and deny mineral-producing communities the economic benefits of their natural resources.
The northern socio-cultural organisation expressed concern over the Federal Government’s failure to make public the terms, financial commitments, commercial arrangements and implementation framework of the agreement reportedly signed in New York on September 23, 2026.
It insisted that Nigerians deserved to know whether the agreement guaranteed local processing, employment, technology transfer and environmental protection or merely provided foreign interests with access to the country’s strategic mineral deposits.
In a statement issued in Kaduna by its Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF said international cooperation in the mining sector must be guided by transparency, accountability and the protection of Nigeria’s sovereign interests.
“Full public disclosure, and scrutiny therefrom, are therefore very critical and should not be treated cavalierly,” the statement said.
The forum clarified that it was not opposed to economic cooperation with the United States but was concerned about the absence of publicly available information on the reported agreement and its potential implications.
“ACF’s concern is not, per se, cooperation with the United States but whether Nigeria, and particularly mineral-producing communities, will receive a fair, transparent and enforceable share of the benefits,” it stated.
The organisation noted that Northern Nigeria possessed substantial deposits of gold, lithium, lead-zinc and other commercially valuable minerals capable of supporting industrial development, job creation and increased public revenue.
However, it warned that the exploitation of these resources would offer limited benefits if mining activities remained focused on extracting and exporting raw materials without meaningful Nigerian participation in processing and manufacturing.
According to the forum, any mineral development arrangement should provide enforceable commitments on infrastructure, technology transfer, skills acquisition, local employment, environmental restoration and compensation for affected communities.
“For the ACF, the central issue is not simply whether these resources will attract foreign investment, but whether their development will translate into demonstrable or measurable and substantial benefits for the people of the region or elsewhere in the country,” it said.
The organisation cautioned that communities hosting commercially valuable mineral deposits could remain impoverished if foreign investment arrangements failed to provide lasting economic opportunities.
It also raised concerns about the security implications of expanded mining activities in parts of Northern Nigeria already affected by attacks, kidnappings, displacement and illegal exploitation of natural resources.
The forum warned that mineral-rich communities must not be exposed to further insecurity, environmental degradation or displacement in the pursuit of foreign investment.
“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 the proceeds of lawful mineral development contribute to legitimate economic activities,” the statement said.
It called for credible investigations into allegations of illegal mining and the possible involvement of foreign interests in criminal activities connected with mineral exploitation.
The ACF demanded clarification of the legal status of the reported agreement, including whether the Federal Government would publish the complete document, its annexes, side letters and subsequent implementation arrangements.
It also asked what the United States had committed to provide in exchange for access to Nigeria’s mineral sector, particularly in relation to investment, financing, infrastructure, technology transfer and industrial facilities.
The forum questioned whether participating American companies would enjoy preferential access to mineral deposits, exclusive purchasing rights or other commercial advantages.
“What rights, if any, does the agreement confer on participating parties (companies, etc.) and what safeguards preserve Nigeria’s lawful regulatory powers?” it asked.
The organisation further sought guarantees that Nigerians would benefit through employment, ownership opportunities, skills development, community infrastructure and fair compensation for environmental damage.
On value addition, it demanded to know whether the agreement contained binding provisions for processing minerals locally or would encourage the continued export of raw materials.
The ACF also raised questions about the ownership, storage, control and commercial use of geological data generated through mineral exploration, particularly information concerning Northern Nigeria’s strategic mineral deposits.
It asked the government to explain how such data would be protected and whether Nigeria would retain control over information relevant to its long-term economic and security interests.
Other concerns included responsibility for environmental remediation, water contamination, land degradation, unsafe mining practices and disputes over mineral-bearing land.
The forum demanded clarity on the roles of state governments, traditional institutions, host communities, artisanal miners and Nigerian businesses in decisions affecting mineral development.
To reinforce its demand, the ACF cited Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which identifies the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government.
It also referred to Section 16(1)(a) and (b), concerning the management of national resources and promotion of economic welfare, while acknowledging the constitutional limitations on judicial enforcement of Chapter II provisions.
The organisation further invoked the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, as a legal framework for citizens seeking access to records held by public institutions, subject to applicable exemptions.
“At the very least, therefore, the FGN should fully disclose the agreement in question, without withholding any material facts as well as submit to appropriate legislative oversight,” the statement said.
The ACF maintained that the reported agreement should be subjected to appropriate scrutiny to establish its consistency with Nigeria’s constitutional and statutory framework governing mineral resources, land administration and public accountability.
