A proposed bill before the United States House of Representatives is urging the US Secretary of State to collaborate with the Nigerian government to curb what it describes as “hostile foreign exploitation of Chinese illegal mining operations” in Nigeria.
The legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was introduced on Tuesday by five Republican lawmakers — Chris Smith, Riley Moore (the bill’s author), Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga.
According to the sponsors, some illegal Chinese mining activities in Nigeria are allegedly linked to the “destabilizing practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias.”
Among its provisions, the bill recommends US support for Nigeria in addressing insecurity linked to armed groups. Specifically, Clauses 10 and 11 state:
“The Secretary of State should consider technical support to the Government of Nigeria to reduce and then eliminate violence from armed Fulani militias, including disarmament programs and comprehensive counter-terrorism cooperation to rid the region of Foreign Terrorist Organizations that pose a direct threat to the American homeland;
“The Secretary of State should work with the Government of Nigeria to counteract the hostile foreign exploitation of Chinese illegal mining operations and their destabilizing practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias.”
The proposal further calls on the US State Department to coordinate with international allies such as France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom in supporting Nigeria’s efforts to advance religious freedom and stability.
In addition, the Secretary of State would be required to assess whether certain “Fulani-ethnic militias” operating in Nigeria meet the criteria for designation as a “Foreign Terrorist Organisation.”
The issue of foreign involvement in Nigeria’s mining sector has previously drawn attention.
In April 2023, The Times of London reported allegations that some Chinese nationals engaged in mining activities were indirectly financing armed groups in parts of the country to secure access to mineral resources.
The publication alleged that through illicit payments and informal arrangements, “Beijing could be indirectly funding terror in Africa’s largest economy.” It also claimed that certain Chinese miners in Zamfara acted as intermediaries for militant groups operating in the north-west region.
The proposed US legislation now seeks to address these concerns through diplomatic, security and technical cooperation with Nigerian authorities.
