FG Spends $9m to Hire US Lobbyists to Counter Christian Persecution Claims

The Federal Government has committed $9 million to a United States–based lobbying firm to counter growing claims that Christians are being targeted for killings in Nigeria, documents filed with the US Department of Justice have shown.

 

Ejes Gist News reports that the contract, executed under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), was signed amid heightened scrutiny from Washington and renewed threats of possible US intervention over alleged religious persecution in the country.

 

The documents indicate that DCI Group, a Washington-based public affairs and lobbying firm, was hired through Aster Legal, a law firm based in Kaduna State, to act on behalf of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Contract Signed as Pressure Mounts From Washington

The agreement was signed on December 17, 2025, by Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, managing partner of Aster Legal, and Justin Peterson, managing member of DCI Group.

 

Under the contract, DCI Group is expected to “assist the Nigerian government in communicating its actions to protect Nigerian Christian communities” and to help sustain US support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts in West Africa.

 

The engagement comes as Nigeria faces growing pressure from US lawmakers and religious advocacy groups over allegations that Christian communities are disproportionately targeted by terrorist and extremist violence.

$750,000 Monthly Retainer

According to the contract, Nigeria agreed to pay the firm a monthly retainer of $750,000, bringing the total value of the six-month contract to $4.5 million, with an automatic renewal that would raise the cost to $9 million over a year.

Payment records attached to the filing show that Nigeria paid $4.5 million on December 12, 2025, as an advance retainer for the first six months of the agreement.

The contract allows either party to terminate the agreement without penalty, provided a 60-day written notice is issued.

Timing Raises Questions

The lobbying arrangement was concluded weeks after US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under US religious freedom laws, citing allegations of widespread violence against Christians.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly denied the claims, insisting that insecurity in the country is driven by terrorism, banditry, and communal violence rather than religious targeting.

However, the decision to engage an American lobbying firm appears to reflect concerns within the federal government about the potential diplomatic and security consequences of the designation.

Trump’s Threats and Rising Diplomatic Tension

In November, President Trump threatened possible military action in Nigeria, stating that the US could go in “guns-a-blazing to wipe out the terrorists killing our cherished Christians.”

The comments followed sustained lobbying by US politicians and advocacy groups who have accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christian populations.

Nigerian officials publicly dismissed the remarks, describing them as exaggerated and misinformed, while privately signalling the need for stronger diplomatic engagement with Washington.

US Airstrikes Add to Complexity

The contract also comes against the backdrop of US airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day against two terrorist enclaves in the Bauni forest area of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

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While US authorities have not formally linked the strikes to the lobbying engagement, the timing has raised questions about the evolving scope of US involvement in Nigeria’s security challenges.

What DCI Group Will Do

DCI Group is known for representing foreign governments and corporate interests before US policymakers. Under US law, the firm is required to publicly disclose its activities, including contacts with US officials, media engagement, and messaging strategies.

The filings suggest the firm will focus on narrative management, policy engagement, and advocacy aimed at reshaping US perceptions of Nigeria’s handling of religious violence.

Public Interest Concerns

The $9 million contract is likely to attract public scrutiny, especially as Nigeria grapples with economic hardship, currency pressures, and rising domestic insecurity.

Critics have questioned whether such funds should be spent on foreign lobbying rather than direct security interventions or victim support at home.

For now, the documents confirm that Nigeria has opted for an aggressive international communications strategy as it seeks to counter allegations that threaten its diplomatic standing and security partnerships.