The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a $9 million contract with a U.S.-based lobbying firm to communicate the country’s security and human rights efforts to the U.S. administration and lawmakers, according to filings and reporting by Business Insider Africa. The move is intended to bolster Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement amid increased scrutiny from Washington.
The contract, executed on behalf of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, retains the DCI Group, a Washington-based public affairs firm, to convey Nigeria’s counter-terrorism initiatives and measures to protect communities, according to Department of Justice disclosures. The agreement, spanning six months from December 17, 2025, sets a monthly retainer of $750,000, with an initial $4.5 million payment already made.
The lobbying arrangement follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” in late 2025 over alleged systematic violence against Christians, a move Abuja has rejected while emphasizing its broader security efforts, as noted by The Cable.
Opposition parties and civil society groups have criticized the deal, arguing that the funds could be better applied to domestic priorities rather than overseas image management, according to reporting by ThisDayLive. The government, however, maintains that strategic communication with key international partners remains crucial to sustaining security support and investment flows.
