Amanze Chinonye
The Federal Government has entered into a $9 million lobbying contract with United States based public affairs firm DCI Group to promote Nigeria’s actions on protecting Christian communities and to sustain U.S. support for its counterterrorism operations.
Lobbying documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) show that the agreement was signed on December 17, 2025. The contract runs for one year at a monthly retainer of $750,000 and allows either party to terminate the arrangement with 60 days’ written notice.
The engagement was executed through Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm, which retained DCI Group on behalf of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelUnder the terms of the agreement, DCI Group is mandated to engage U.S. policymakers, officials and other stakeholders to present the Nigerian government’s position on measures taken to protect Christian communities and to maintain American backing for Nigeria’s fight against jihadist groups and other destabilising actors operating in West Africa.
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DCI Group is a Republican-connected lobbying and public affairs firm with longstanding ties to U.S. conservative political circles. The firm disclosed that nine of its personnel are assigned to the Nigerian account, including managing member Justin Peterson and senior adviser Doug Davenport.
Peterson previously worked on the presidential campaigns of Elizabeth Dole and former U.S. President George W. Bush. He was also appointed by U.S. President Donald Trump as the American representative to the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico.
Davenport worked on all three of Trump’s presidential campaigns and most recently served as the 2024 campaign convention team manager for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Veteran Republican political operative Roger Stone is also listed as a consultant on the Nigerian engagement.
The lobbying deal comes amid heightened scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation by the U.S. government, lawmakers and advocacy groups, particularly over attacks on religious communities. On Christmas Day, President Trump announced that U.S. forces had carried out airstrikes in Nigeria against Islamist militants, saying the operations targeted groups responsible for attacks that “primarily” affected “innocent Christians.”
Nigeria has in recent years faced sustained pressure from U.S. lawmakers, faith-based organisations and human rights groups over violence linked to jihadist insurgents and armed bandits, especially in the North-East, North-West and parts of the Middle Belt. While some groups have framed the violence as religious persecution, the Nigerian government has consistently rejected such claims.
Federal authorities maintain that the insecurity is driven by terrorism, insurgency and organised criminality rather than state-tolerated religious violence, and insist that the government is committed to protecting all citizens regardless of faith.
The $9 million lobbying contract has drawn mixed reactions. Critics argue that spending such a sum on foreign lobbying is difficult to justify at a time of persistent insecurity and economic strain at home, describing it as an expensive public relations effort. Supporters, however, say the move is a strategic diplomatic intervention aimed at countering negative perceptions in Washington, preserving U.S. security cooperation, and safeguarding continued military and intelligence assistance to Nigeria.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
