By Sarafina Christopher
Abuja, Dec. 23, 2025
The China Mining Federation of Nigeria (CMFN) has issued a forceful rebuttal to a recent report alleging widespread “Chinese infiltration” in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, labeling the claims as “false and misleading.” The statement, released in Abuja, comes amid growing international and domestic scrutiny of foreign mining operations in Africa and their socio-economic impacts.
The Federation’s clarification directly addresses a report by the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), which circulated allegations of illegal mining, environmental degradation, and even terrorism financing linked to foreign nationals, including Chinese operators. The RDI report, covering 2018 to 2025, identified Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kogi, Osun, Kwara, Plateau, and Niger states as hotspots for these illicit activities.
In its defense, the CMFN outlined a multi-faceted argument for the role of Chinese companies:
1. Regulatory Compliance and Governance: The Federation asserted that its member companies “consistently complied with mining laws and regulations,” operating under guidance from both the Chinese and Nigerian governments. It emphasized a collaborative approach, stating the firms “work closely with relevant Nigerian agencies to strengthen governance, promote transparency and ensure responsible mining operations.” This claim sits in contrast to the RDI report’s allegations of “weak regulation, institutional complicity and poor enforcement.”
2. Economic Value Addition and Industrialization: Moving beyond simple extraction, the CMFN highlighted investments in local processing plants and factories. This, they argue, is a strategic move to support Nigeria’s industrialization, boost job creation, and—critically—retain more of the mineral value within the country. “These investments have helped transform Nigeria’s mineral endowments into tangible economic benefits while supporting local communities and protecting the environment,” the statement read.
3. Rejection of Security Allegations: The Federation described the terrorism financing allegations as “completely unfounded,” providing the contextual point that Chinese nationals and companies have themselves been victims of terrorist attacks in Nigeria. They positioned their firms as partners in security, “consistently support[ing] Nigeria’s security efforts and remain[ing] willing to cooperate with authorities to ensure a safe operating environment.”
The underlying tension here reflects a global debate on resource extraction in developing economies. On one side are concerns about “resource nationalism,” environmental harm, and revenue loss, as highlighted by NGOs like RDI. On the other is the promise of foreign direct investment, infrastructure development, and technology transfer offered by international mining consortia. The Nigerian solid minerals sector, long overshadowed by oil, is a key battleground for this debate.
The CMFN’s statement concluded with an appeal for objective reporting and a warning that misinformation could “undermine Nigeria–China bilateral relations.” It reaffirmed a commitment to deepening cooperation with the Nigerian government for sustainable development.
This exchange underscores the critical need for verifiable, transparent oversight in the mining sector. While the Federation promotes a narrative of partnership and value addition, the serious claims from civil society demand rigorous, independent investigation to reconcile these opposing views and ensure Nigeria’s mineral wealth truly benefits its people and its environment.
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
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