US Congress Seeks Cooperation With Nigeria to Stop Chinese Mining Funding Militias

US Congress Seeks Cooperation With Nigeria to Stop Chinese Mining Funding Militias

A new United States congressional bill has proposed measures to counter the alleged illegal Chinese mining operations in Nigeria and their role in financing Fulani militias, raising concerns over security, religious freedom, and regional stability. The legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was introduced on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by five Republican lawmakers: Riley Moore, Chris Smith, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga.

The bill directs the U.S. Secretary of State to work with the Nigerian government to address what lawmakers describe as the “hostile foreign exploitation of Chinese illegal mining operations” and their alleged payments of “protection money” to Fulani militias. It further recommends providing technical support, including disarmament programs and counter-terrorism cooperation, to reduce violence from armed groups in northern and northwest Nigeria.

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Clauses 10 and 11 of the proposed legislation specifically call for:

• Technical assistance to the Nigerian government to reduce and eliminate militia violence, targeting groups that could be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
• Cooperation with Nigerian authorities to counter illegal mining activities that allegedly destabilize communities by funding armed Fulani militias.

The legislation also urges collaboration with international partners such as France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom to promote religious freedom, peace, and accountability in Nigeria. The Secretary of State is tasked with evaluating whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias meet the criteria to be listed as FTOs, a designation that could trigger sanctions, visa restrictions, and asset freezes.

Lawmakers cited a 2023 report by The Times, which alleged that some Chinese nationals operating in Nigeria’s mining sector provided financial support to militant networks in states such as Zamfara, often using bribery or informal transactions to access mineral reserves. The report warned that such activities could indirectly fuel militia violence and insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest region.

The bill is part of a broader U.S. focus on religious freedom, communal violence, and national security in Nigeria. It also includes provisions for annual reporting to Congress on U.S. efforts to curb foreign involvement in funding militias and promote accountability for extremist activities.

While supporters argue that the bill strengthens U.S.–Nigeria cooperation to promote peace, security, and accountability, critics caution that allegations of militia funding by Chinese mining operators must be carefully investigated and verified to avoid misrepresentation or diplomatic tension.

US Congress Seeks Cooperation With Nigeria to Stop Chinese Mining Funding Militias