ACF asks FG to publish full details of Nigeria-US minerals deal

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) don ask the Federal Government to publish full details of the critical minerals agreement wey dem reportedly sign with the United States for New York on 23 September 2026.

The northern socio-cultural group make this demand for one statement wey dem issue for Kaduna on Wednesday and wey its National Publicity Secretary, Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba, sign.

According to the ACF, the deal still dey opaque because Nigerians never see its terms, scope, financial commitments or how dem go carry am out. E say transparency and accountability no be something to take play with for any arrangement wey touch Nigeria strategic minerals.

Wetin the group dey ask for

The ACF want make dem publish the complete agreement, including annexes, side letters and later implementation arrangements. E also want to know wetin the US don commit in return, like investments, financing, infrastructure, technology transfer and industrial facilities.

Other questions e raise: whether American companies go get preferential access or exclusive buying rights, who own and fit commercially use geological data from exploration, and who dey responsible for cleaning up environmental damage, water contamination and displaced communities.

The group also ask for binding guarantees on local employment, skills training, Nigerian ownership, local processing of minerals and compensation for host communities.

E cite Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, wey make security and welfare the main purpose of government, Section 16(1)(a) and (b) on managing national resources, and the Freedom of Information Act 2011. E acknowledge say Chapter II provisions generally no dey enforceable for court under Section 6(6)(c).

The ACF say its concern no be cooperation with the United States itself. "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," the statement talk.

Why e matter to the North

Northern Nigeria get plenty deposits of gold, lithium, lead-zinc and other valuable minerals. The ACF talk say these fit create jobs, grow industry and raise public revenue if dem develop am well, but e warn say to just export raw materials go leave communities poor.

The group also raise security. E say attacks, killings, kidnappings and displacement for parts of the North fit expose mining communities to illegal exploitation and environmental damage. E ask the government and security agencies to explain how dem go protect mining sites and host communities, and call for credible investigations into any allegations of illegal mining or foreign involvement in crime.

E urge the National Assembly and regulators to scrutinise the deal, and ask for consultations with state governments, traditional institutions, artisanal miners and affected communities.

Wetin go happen next: The sources no talk whether the government don respond to the ACF demands or set a date for publishing the agreement.