Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a move aimed at shaping international perceptions of Nigeria’s security and religious rights landscape, the Federal Government has signed a $9 million lobbying contract with a U.S.-based firm to communicate its efforts in protecting Christian communities and countering allegations of targeted violence. The deal, formalised in mid-December 2025, reflects Abuja’s intensifying diplomatic engagement with Washington amid mounting scrutiny over religious insecurity in the country.
According to documents filed with the United States Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Nigerian government engaged DCI Group, a Washington-based public affairs and lobbying firm, through Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law practice acting on behalf of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The agreement was signed on December 17, 2025, by Aster Legal’s managing partner, Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, and Justin Peterson, managing member of DCI Group.
Under the terms of the contract, DCI Group is tasked with helping the Nigerian government articulate its security actions to U.S. policymakers, diplomats, and other influential stakeholders, particularly regarding efforts to safeguard Christian populations and sustain continued U.S. support for Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations against jihadist groups and other destabilising forces across West Africa. The lobbying engagement has a six-month initial term running until June 30, 2026, with an automatic renewal clause for another six months unless terminated by either side with 60 days’ written notice.
Financial disclosures show that Nigeria made an upfront payment of $4.5 million on December 12, 2025, representing the first six-month retainer. The contract calls for a monthly fee of $750,000, including professional services and expenses, bringing the total value of the engagement to $9 million over one year if fully executed.
The high-profile lobbying push comes amid heightened concerns within the United States over reports alleging systematic violence and killings of Christians in Nigeria — narratives that have gained traction among some American lawmakers and advocacy groups. In October 2025, the U.S. government under President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over claims of religious violence, a designation linked to increasing diplomatic pressure on Abuja to address the situation. The Nigerian government has consistently rejected narratives of “Christian genocide,” maintaining that insecurity in the country arises from terrorism and criminality that affect all citizens regardless of faith.
The lobbying contract — one of the most significant of its kind involving an African nation — underscores the diplomatic challenges faced by Nigeria as it navigates international perceptions of its internal security dynamics. The engagement of DCI Group, a firm with established connections within U.S. political and policy circles, demonstrates Abuja’s strategy to directly engage with influential decision-makers in Washington and correct what it terms misleading narratives about religious freedom and targeted violence in Nigeria.
Observers note that the move coincides with an uptick in high-level U.S.–Nigeria interactions on security matters. In late 2025, the United States carried out air strikes on insurgent enclaves in northern Nigeria, including operations on Christmas Day in Sokoto State, as part of broader counter-terrorism cooperation. These developments have heightened the stakes for Abuja, which faces the diplomatic task of assuring international partners that its security policies are equitable and effective across all communities.
Critics of the lobbying expenditure — particularly within Nigerian civil society and some political circles — have raised questions about the timing and scale of the contract given pressing domestic challenges, including economic pressures and ongoing security threats in several regions. They argue that such significant foreign spending should be justified transparently with clear metrics on outcomes and accountability to the Nigerian public. Proponents of the contract, however, maintain that shaping global understanding of Nigeria’s security context is essential to maintaining vital international cooperation, particularly with the United States, on intelligence, counter-terrorism, and development assistance.
Government officials emphasise that the engagement is not unique in Nigeria’s diplomatic playbook, noting that nations routinely employ lobbying firms in Washington to advance foreign policy objectives and clarify national positions on contentious issues. They argue that proactive communication — especially on matters as sensitive and globally significant as religious violence allegations — can help prevent misinterpretations that might otherwise strain bilateral relations or impact cooperation on security and economic fronts.
The contract comes at a time of persistent insecurity in parts of northern and central Nigeria, where various militant groups and criminal syndicates have carried out attacks that disproportionately affect rural and marginalised communities. Amid these challenges, the federal government’s outreach to the international community is central to its broader strategy to attract support, foster investment, and ensure that global partners remain aligned with Nigeria’s approach to tackling armed extremism and protecting its diverse citizenry.
As the lobbying campaign unfolds in Washington, Nigerian diplomats and government representatives are expected to engage with a range of stakeholders, including members of Congress, civil society organisations, and U.S. administration officials. The effectiveness of these efforts will likely be measured in shifts in policy rhetoric, continued cooperation on security initiatives, and broader diplomatic backing that supports Nigeria’s national interests amid ongoing internal and regional security challenges.
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