Arewa Forum demands transparency on $700bn US mineral deal
The Arewa Consultative Forum has demanded the Tinubu administration publicly disclose the full terms of a $700 billion critical minerals framework signed with the United States on September 23, 2026 at Nigeria House in New York during the 81st UN General Assembly. ACF National Publicity Secretary Professor Tukur Mohammed-Baba made the call during an Arise Television interview Saturday, arguing a deal of this magnitude cannot remain shrouded in secrecy while Nigerians face economic hardship.
The agreement—described as a critical minerals framework—was signed on the sidelines of UNGA, but specific terms, revenue-sharing arrangements, environmental safeguards, and local content provisions have not been made public. Mohammed-Baba stated Nigerians deserve to know the benefits, implications, and exact conditions before implementation proceeds.
This follows a pattern of major resource agreements negotiated without legislative oversight or public consultation. The Petroleum Industry Act 2021 mandates transparency in extractive contracts, yet mineral deals appear exempt from similar scrutiny. Civil society groups warn that without public terms, communities in mineral-rich states (Nasarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Bauchi) bear environmental risks without guaranteed benefits.
The National Assembly has not been briefed on the deal's specifics. EFCC and NEITI have not publicly commented on compliance with transparency standards.
Should Nigerians demand full parliamentary ratification and public disclosure before any $700 billion resource commitment becomes binding?