The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a controversial 9 million dollar lobbying contract with a Republican linked firm in Washington as it moves to ease escalating tensions with United States President Donald Trump and prevent further military and diplomatic actions that could damage Nigeria’s international standing and have political repercussions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
An investigative report published on Tuesday by The Africa Report revealed that the Nigerian government engaged DCI Group, a prominent United States lobbying and strategic communications firm with strong Republican ties, to help reshape Washington’s perception of Nigeria’s security challenges. The engagement was reportedly facilitated by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, through a Kaduna based law firm, Aster Legal.
According to documents filed with the United States Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, the lobbying contract is designed to persuade the Trump administration and influential members of the US Congress that Nigeria is taking concrete and verifiable steps to address insecurity, particularly the persistent killings of Christians in parts of northern Nigeria. These killings have drawn intense scrutiny from conservative political and religious groups in the United States and have become a central point of criticism against the Tinubu government.
The filings indicate that the Nigerian government has already paid an initial tranche of 4.5 million dollars to DCI Group on December 12, 2025. The payment covers a six month retainer, with a second instalment of another 4.5 million dollars due by July 2026. The agreement brings the total value of the contract to 9 million dollars, translating to about 750,000 dollars per month, making it one of the most expensive lobbying arrangements ever entered into by an African country.
Under the terms of the contract, DCI Group is expected to provide strategic counsel, government relations support and targeted engagement with the White House, Congress, policy think tanks and influential media outlets. The goal is to communicate Nigeria’s efforts to protect vulnerable Christian communities, strengthen counterterrorism operations and maintain United States support in combating jihadist groups and other destabilising actors operating in West Africa.
The agreement was signed by Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, Managing Director of Aster Legal, and Justin Peterson, Managing Partner of DCI Group. Peterson is a well known Republican strategist and a close ally of President Trump. He previously served on Puerto Rico’s fiscal management board during Trump’s first term and is regarded as having direct access to influential conservative policy circles in Washington.
The timing of the contract has raised eyebrows both locally and internationally. It was finalised just weeks after President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over what he described as the federal government’s failure to stop widespread and unchecked killings of Christians. The designation revived a policy tool that carries the risk of sanctions and other punitive measures, further straining bilateral relations between Abuja and Washington.
Barely four days after the lobbying deal was sealed, the United States government announced a partial travel ban on Nigerians. The restrictions affected tourist, business and student visa applicants and were justified by the Trump administration on the grounds of high visa overstay rates and what it described as the absence of a reliable Nigerian security framework for effectively vetting travellers.
Tensions escalated dramatically on December 25, 2025, when President Trump announced that United States forces had carried out a military airstrike in northern Nigeria, specifically in Sokoto State, targeting suspected insurgent hideouts. The announcement shocked Nigerian officials and sparked widespread debate about sovereignty, international law and the implications of foreign military action on Nigerian soil.
Trump subsequently warned that additional strikes would follow if the Nigerian government failed to halt violence against Christian communities. The threat of further military action has intensified pressure on the Tinubu administration to demonstrate tangible progress in addressing insecurity and managing relations with its most powerful international partner.
Beyond the DCI Group contract, Justice Department records show that Nigeria has also activated other lobbying and advocacy channels in Washington. One filing disclosed that Johanna Blanc, a United States attorney and former congressional foreign policy official, received a payment of 5,000 dollars to draft a letter addressed to Congressman Chris Smith, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, ahead of a congressional hearing focused on Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
Although the filing listed Blanc as working under Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance, she later clarified that the letter was written on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. In the correspondence, Akpabio extended an invitation to members of the House subcommittee to visit Nigeria and engage directly with government officials, civil society organisations and religious leaders.
“Nigeria would be honoured to host you in Abuja at a mutually convenient date, to continue these discussions and engage stakeholders from across the government, civil society organisations and religious communities,” the letter stated. It added that such a visit would strengthen diplomatic cooperation and provide firsthand insight into ongoing security initiatives and interfaith efforts.
The scale and cost of the lobbying effort have triggered mixed reactions among analysts, civil society groups and former United States officials. Critics argue that the funds would be better spent directly addressing insecurity on the ground, while supporters contend that diplomatic engagement is essential to prevent further deterioration of relations with Washington.
Chidi Blyden, a former Pentagon official who served under President Joe Biden and was reportedly involved in aspects of the engagement, said the size of the contract reflects the urgency with which the Tinubu administration is seeking to repair strained ties with the Trump White House.
“Given the ongoing strikes in northern Nigeria to root out terrorist havens, having open lines of communication across multiple sectors between the two governments is key,” Blyden said. “It is a sign that President Bola Tinubu’s administration wants a relationship with the Trump administration and is taking deliberate steps to achieve this through private sector channels.”
As debates continue over the propriety and effectiveness of the lobbying deal, the Tinubu government faces mounting pressure to show concrete results both at home and abroad. With security challenges persisting, diplomatic tensions rising and the 2027 elections looming, the administration’s handling of the United States relationship is likely to remain a critical and closely watched aspect of its foreign and domestic policy agenda.
