The Nigerian government has approved a $9 million contract with a U.S. Republican-linked lobbying firm in a bid to mollify former President Donald Trump and avert further military or diplomatic measures targeting Nigeria, according to investigative reports.
The lobbying deal, facilitated by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, through Kaduna-based Aster Legal, engages the DCI Group- a Washington-based firm led by Republican strategist Justin Peterson, known for his close ties to Trump.
The contract aims to convince the Trump administration and key U.S. lawmakers that Nigeria is taking concrete steps to address insecurity, particularly the killings of Christians in the country’s northern region. U.S. Department of Justice filings show that the Tinubu government paid an initial $4.5 million tranche on December 12, 2025, with a second installment of the same amount due by July 2026.
The agreement follows a series of tensions between the U.S. and Nigeria. In December 2025, Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over its failure to curb widespread attacks on Christians. Four days after the lobbying deal was finalized, the U.S. imposed a partial travel ban on Nigerian citizens affecting tourist, business, and student visas. The Trump administration also carried out an airstrike in Sokoto State targeting suspected insurgents, warning that further strikes would follow if violence continued.
Beyond DCI Group, Nigeria has engaged other lobbying channels in Washington. U.S. attorney Johanna Blanc received $5,000 to draft a letter on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio inviting U.S. lawmakers to visit Nigeria to observe security and interfaith initiatives firsthand.
Analysts say the multimillion-dollar lobbying contract underscores the urgency with which the Tinubu administration is seeking to repair strained relations with the Trump administration. Chidi Blyden, a former Pentagon official, described the move as a strategic effort to maintain open communication across multiple sectors during ongoing security operations in northern Nigeria.
The lobbying initiative has sparked debate over government expenditure and the use of private firms to influence U.S. policy at a critical juncture ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections
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