Alake’s aide denies claims of handing Nigeria’s minerals to Chinese

Minister of solid minerals development, Dele Alake.

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA — The Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, Kehinde Bamigbetan, has dismissed claims that the minister is handing over Nigeria’s mineral resources to Chinese interests.

Bamigbetan, in a statement issued at the weekend, described the allegations as false and misleading, saying they were based on what he called a campaign of misinformation against the minister.

He was reacting to a publication by Steve Kefas titled “How Nigeria’s Mineral Wealth is Being Handed Over to the Chinese,” which alleged that the country’s mineral resources were being ceded to Chinese companies.