Nigeria has hired a United States lobbying firm in a $9 million deal aimed at shaping Washington's understanding of its security response to violence against Christian communities.
Documents filed with the US Justice Department show that DCI Group, a Washington-based public affairs and lobbying firm, was contracted to engage US officials on Nigeria's counter-terrorism efforts and combat religiously motivated violence.
The contract was executed on December 17, 2025, through Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm acting on behalf of Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Under the agreement, the DCI group is expected to communicate about Nigeria's actions to protect Christian communities and maintain US support for its fight against jihadist groups operating in West Africa.
The arrangement runs for an initial six-month period ending June 30, 2026, with an automatic extension clause, unless terminated by either party with 60 days' notice.
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Financial disclosures also show that Nigeria has already paid $4.5 million as an advance retainer, putting the total value of the contract at $9 million. The agreement provides for a monthly fee of $750,000 covering professional services and related expenses.
The appointment of the lobbying firm comes against the backdrop of renewed US attention over reports of killings of Christians in Nigeria.
In October, President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern”, citing allegations of systematic violence against Christian communities – claims the Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected.
US officials and lawmakers have accused Abuja of failing to adequately protect religious minorities, a charge Nigerian officials deny and argue the country's security crisis is driven by terrorism and banditry rather than religious persecution.
In November, Trump warned that the United States could intervene militarily if violence against Christians continued, leading to increased diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Nigeria has since pledged to engage more directly with Washington to counter the mischaracterization of its security challenges.
On Christmas Day, the US carried out airstrikes on two terrorist hideouts in Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, indicating deeper US involvement in counter-terrorism efforts linked to Nigeria's security concerns.
