NGDr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development in Nigeria, has been accused by some publications of favoring Chinese investors over Western companies. In response, his special adviser, Kehinde Bamigbetan, denied these claims, calling them false and part of a misinformation campaign. The accusations followed the revocation of mining licenses for Basin Mining Limited, a suspected Nigerian subsidiary of the Australian-British firm Jupiter, due to unpaid statutory fees. Bamigbetan stated that the revocation was lawful and that Jupiter attempted to pressure the ministry through legal channels. He emphasized that Alake engages with investors globally, including in Europe, America, and Australia, and highlighted that Nigeria's openness to foreign investment in mining dates back to the 1990s. Bamigbetan also pointed out that Alake's policies aim to promote local value addition by requiring mineral processing within Nigeria, which some Chinese firms have adopted.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both the allegations against Alake and the rebuttal provided by his aide, offering a balanced account of the controversy. While the issue of foreign investment and resource control is politically sensitive, the framing remains neutral, avoiding overtly positive or negative slant
