Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions has HM Government had with the Government of Nigeria in relation to the revocation of contracts with Jupiter Lithium for lithium mining in the country; and whether the United Kingdom has investor trade agreements with Nigeria.

The UK Government is aware of concerns raised by Jupiter Lithium. Matters relating to the revocation of business licenses in Nigeria fall within the remit of the relevant Nigerian authorities and any concerns should be raised directly with them. As a matter of longstanding practice, the UK Government does not comment on individual commercial disputes whilst legal proceedings are ongoing. It would not be appropriate for the UK Government to become involved in or make representations to the Nigerian Government whilst these proceedings are ongoing.

The UK-Nigeria Investment Treaty was signed in 1990 and provides reciprocal legal protections for UK investors in Nigeria and Nigerian investors in the UK. As part of the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership, the UK and Nigeria signed an Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership in February 2024 which aims to address non-tariff barriers and unlock future bilateral trade and investment.