Tinubu government reacts to opposition over national gold refinery in Lagos
The Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu has reacted to objections raised by the Northern Elders Forum over the proposed location of a national gold refinery in Lagos, saying the decision was guided strictly by technical, economic and logistical considerations rather than regional bias. The response comes after the Northern Elders publicly criticised the plan, arguing that situating the refinery in Lagos sidelines northern states where most of Nigeria’s gold deposits are found.
Government officials explained that Lagos was selected based on its existing infrastructure, access to ports, security architecture and proximity to international markets, all of which are considered critical for a refinery meant to operate at global standards. The Tinubu administration maintained that the refinery is a national asset designed to benefit the entire country, regardless of where it is physically located.
According to the government, the choice of location does not exclude northern states from benefiting economically from gold mining and processing. Officials stressed that mining activities, job creation and value chains will still be centred around gold-producing regions, while the refinery’s location is aimed at ensuring efficiency, export competitiveness and ease of regulation.
The Northern Elders Forum had earlier expressed concerns that placing the refinery in Lagos reinforces long-standing regional imbalances and called for the project to be sited closer to mining communities in the North. In response, the Federal Government urged stakeholders to view the project through the lens of national development rather than regional politics, adding that similar strategic considerations have guided the siting of major national assets in the past.
The controversy has sparked wider debate across the country about resource control, infrastructure distribution and equity in federal projects. Despite the pushback, the Tinubu administration reiterated its commitment to inclusive economic growth and assured Nigerians that the gold refinery project will be managed transparently and in the best interest of the nation.
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