A new proposal in the United States House of Representatives is seeking closer collaboration between the United States and Nigeria to address what lawmakers describe as the destabilising effects of illegal mining activities linked to foreign actors.
The legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was introduced by five Republican lawmakers: Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart and Bill Huizenga.
The sponsors allege that certain Chinese-linked mining companies have operated illegally in parts of Nigeria and paid protection money to armed groups, contributing to insecurity in affected regions.
Under the proposal, the US Secretary of State would be directed to provide technical assistance to Nigeria to help curb militia-related violence through disarmament initiatives, intelligence-sharing and expanded counter-terrorism cooperation. The bill also encourages coordination with international partners such as France, Hungary and the United Kingdom to promote religious freedom and regional stability.
Specific provisions call for US engagement with Nigerian authorities to counter what the lawmakers describe as hostile foreign exploitation of mineral resources and to assess whether certain armed groups should be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
The bill cites a 2023 investigation by The Times alleging that some foreign nationals involved in Nigeria’s mining sector indirectly financed militant activities to secure access to mineral deposits.
If enacted, the measure could deepen US involvement in Nigeria’s security and extractive industries, reflecting growing international concern over the links between illegal mining, armed violence and governance challenges in resource-rich areas.
