The Chinese government has strongly denied allegations by a group of U.S. congressmen accusing it of backing illegal mining operations and financing armed groups in Nigeria.
In a statement released Thursday, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria described the claims as “entirely unfounded” and expressed strong dissatisfaction over what it called misleading assertions linking Chinese mining interests to insecurity and religious violence in the country.
The allegations surfaced in a proposed U.S. bill titled “Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026″, introduced by Republican lawmakers Riley Moore (West Virginia), Chris Smith (New Jersey), Bill Huizenga (Michigan), Brian Mast (Florida), and Mario Diaz-Balart (Florida). The bill alleged that Chinese nationals engaged in illegal mining were paying protection money to armed groups, contributing to instability and religious persecution in parts of Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt.
Responding to the claims, the Chinese Embassy insisted that Beijing maintains a strict policy requiring its citizens and companies abroad to comply fully with host country laws. It stressed that China has zero tolerance for illegal mining activities and said the majority of Chinese firms operating in Nigeria adhere to local regulations.
According to the embassy, Chinese mining companies have contributed positively to local communities through job creation, environmental protection efforts, and social responsibility initiatives. It also stated that Chinese enterprises have themselves been victims of criminal and terrorist activities, rejecting suggestions that they fund such groups.
The embassy reaffirmed China’s respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and said it remains committed to cooperating with Nigerian authorities to strengthen lawful mining governance. It added that China is prepared to deepen bilateral cooperation in a way that promotes sustainable development and mutual benefit for both nations.
