Fact-Check: No, the Federal Government Has Not Started A Gold Refinery in Lagos State

In Fact Check, News
March 30, 2026
Ajibola Osungbohun
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Claim: A Facebook page claims that the Federal Government has started a gold refinery in Lagos State Verdict: Misleading Full Text A Facebook page on March 12, 2026, posted a claim that the federal government had commenced the refining of gold in Lagos State. The page named Tinubu Lolese was created to promote President Bola

Claim: A Facebook page claims that the Federal Government has started a gold refinery in Lagos State

Verdict: Misleading

Full Text

A Facebook page on March 12, 2026, posted a claim that the federal government had commenced the refining of gold in Lagos State.

The page named Tinubu Lolese was created to promote President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It has over 5k followers and 44 people.

In the post, it claims that “The Federal Government already started a gold refinery in Lagos earlier this year.”

Further, it claimed that gold, lithium and alumina – these mineral resources – are what the world is fighting over, but Nigeria is building the refineries to process them locally.

NDRFactcheck observed that the post has garnered 4.3k likes, 1.6k comments and 578 retweets and has attracted several reactions, with some praising the government of President Tinubu for his good work, while others asked questions with their comments, asking, ‘Before you get busy commenting foolishly. Ask yourself, ‘Where is the gold refinery located anywhere in Lagos, according to the writer?‘

Therefore, NDRFactCheck decided to investigate this claim to promote factual information, prevent misinformation, and ensure that the public clearly understands the difference between government-led projects and private sector investments.

Screenshot from the Facebook page

Verification

NDRFactcheck confirmed from multiple credible reports, including PremiumTimes, that the Federal Government did not establish or own any gold refinery in Lagos.

The refinery referenced is owned by a private company (Kian Smith), the Ministry of Solid Minerals clearly stated.

It was found that the company, registered in 2011, was issued a licence for gold refining in 2018, under the late former president Muhammadu Buhari.

Conclusion

The claim that the federal government has started a gold refinery in Lagos State is misleading. While a gold refinery exists, available evidence shows that it is privately owned and not established by the federal government.