Genocide claim: Pushback over FG’s N12.8bn US lobby deal

Opposition, ex-diplomats, and many Nigerians on Wednesday reacted to the news that the Federal Government has entered into a $9 million lobbying agreement with a United States firm to communicate Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christian communities and sustain America’s support for counter-terrorism operations.

Documents filed with the United States Department of Justice show that Aster Legal, a law firm based in Kaduna State, engaged DCI Group on behalf of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The agreement was executed on December 17, 2025, and signed by Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, managing partner of Aster Legal, and Justin Peterson, managing member of DCI Group.

Under the terms of the contract, DCI Group is to “assist the Nigerian government through Aster Legal in communicating its actions to protect Nigerian Christian communities and maintaining US support in countering West African jihadist groups and other destabilising elements.”

The initial duration of the contract is six months, running until June 30, 2026, with an automatic renewal for an additional six months unless terminated.

Either party may end the agreement “for any reason without penalty” by giving 60 days’ written notice.

Financial disclosures indicate that Nigeria paid $4.5 million to DCI Group on December 12 as an upfront six-month retainer.

The contract’s fee and expenses clause states that, “Client shall pay Consultant a monthly retainer of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($750,000; being full payment of professional fees and expenses covered under this agreement). The monthly payment shall be made in two (2) six-month installments of four million five hundred thousand dollars ($4,500,000), one due (a) upon execution of this Agreement and the other (b) upon expiration of six months from the effective date.”

The engagement comes amid a broader security partnership between Nigeria and the US.

On Christmas night, US forces conducted airstrikes in Sokoto State, targeting Islamic State–linked militants accused of working with the Lakurawa jihadist group and local armed bandit networks.

The strikes came amid a diplomatic disagreement following allegations of persecution and violence against Christians in Nigeria.

US President Donald Trump had previously described the situation as “genocide,” an assertion that the Nigerian government strongly rejected.

And on Friday, for the first time since he shifted his focus to insecurity in Nigeria, he admitted that Muslims are also victims of killings.

Contrary to the reality on the ground, the US President has consistently claimed that Christians are being targeted in attacks.

However, in an interview with the New York Times, Trump admitted that not a single religion is being affected, but even at that, he claimed that Christians were the major victims.

“I think that Muslims are being killed also in Nigeria. But it’s mostly Christians,” the New York Times quoted him to have said.

PDP condemns $9m for US lobby

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned the report that $9 million has been approved by the Federal Government to hire lobbyists expected to ‘communicate Christian protection efforts’ to the US.

Reacting to the report on Wednesday, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ini Ememobong, said the Federal Government should be more concerned about telling the world the reality of what is happening in the country.

Ememobong, who described the development as “deceptive and defective”, argued that “it will not work and it is most condemnable.”

He told Daily Trust that, “the reality in Nigeria is the best perception that anyone can get. In that light, if the Federal Government desires that people, whether in the United States of America, the United Kingdom or even anywhere else in the world, should have a good perception of the country, then they should affect the reality of Nigeria.”

“Another thing we should be concerned about is: Is the money budgeted for? We need to know. Where exactly in the budget is the money? This is condemnable,” he said.

ADC: Tinubu’s US propaganda payment scandalous

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, also condemned the FG for the alleged approval of a $9 million contract for lobbying services in the US.

The ADC described the development as an attempt by the present administration to launder its “image abroad while Nigerians grapple with worsening insecurity and economic hardship.”

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the expenditure reflects misplaced priorities, especially at a time when thousands of citizens have been killed, and millions can barely afford basic necessities, arguing that “no amount of paid lobbying can mask the government’s failure to protect lives and property.”

ADC also accused the present administration of deploying “scarce public resources to launder its battered image abroad instead of addressing the deepening security and economic crises at home, as reported in recent disclosures on the federal government’s $9 million lobbying contract in the United States.”

The opposition said more troubling is the “illusion that paid lobbying in Washington can erase the reality of mass killings, widespread insecurity, and state failure at home.

“No amount of image laundering can wash away the blood of thousands of Nigerians killed under this administration’s watch.

“Lobbying to impress foreign leaders cannot substitute for a coherent strategy to end the bloodbath. A president who declares a state of emergency on security and then proceeds on foreign holidays cannot be rescued by public relations firms.”

Nigerians react on social media

Many Nigerians have taken to social media to pour out their frustrations since the news of the deal broke on Wednesday, with most of them condemning the government’s action.

Here are some of the comments curated from the Daily Trust Facebook page:

Sirlees Omar said, “I have never seen where a country is sold simultaneously to different buyers, until I remembered Nigeria.”

Anikigbo Donatus, on his part, said, “Which kind of lobbying, America and Americans are here in Nigeria and even know in and out of Nigeria more than many Nigerians.”

Olaoye Olugbenga Oludare is of the view that the country is “still treating the symptoms”, charging the government to “do the right things and things will fall in place.”

For Okpueze Emerueh, “The truth must prevail! No matter what they do.”

Hashim Mohammed has a different perspective, saying, “If anybody thinks that this amount is too much to spend on peace, wait until war breaks out …You will drain all the resources in the land and still borrow more money.”

Sani Umar queried, “If the narrative was false, what then is the need for spending so much to hire a lobbyist?”

Nura Abubakar said, “15 billion ($9m) gone to US to lobby US. What an international fraud!!!”

According to Ahmad Usman Dadah, “It is not that the US is not aware of the true position of things in Nigeria. It is just that the bully is always working for his own interest anywhere in the world. Not in the interest of any religion. If you are the one that thinks so, you better look outside the box.”

Abubakar Sadiq Sa’eed also shared his thoughts, saying, “You can’t satisfy America on their mission. Lobbying only delays the actions, but the consequences are inevitable. It’s only counteractions that send the USA away from its prey.”

Bello Hamza Sani argued that “Strong words abroad won’t fix deep-rooted failures at home. If the government can spend $9 million on foreign lobbying to manage perception, why can’t that same amount be used to equip local security, support displaced families and rebuild affected communities? True credibility isn’t bought through PR; it’s earned through visible progress. Nigeria doesn’t need image laundering; it needs real solutions. Let actions speak louder than press releases.”

Iorwuese Iorliam said, “Why hire people to go lobby for you if the issue is not true? $9 million is enough to clear the entire middle belt of bandits.”

‘It’s a positive, wise move’ — Ex‑Diplomat

A former Nigerian ambassador who served in several countries, including the United States, has described the federal government’s decision to hire a lobby firm as “a positive and wise move.”

The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to what he termed the sensitivity of the matter, told Daily Trust last night that it was not unusual for governments to engage lobby firms to advance their interests abroad.

He explained that successive Nigerian administrations had employed similar strategies in the past, noting that Israel is particularly active in using lobby firms to influence Washington.

According to him, the development also reflects a shift in relations between Abuja and Washington. “It shows, or is a sign, that the US government is now behaving well, especially considering the recent arms America sent to Nigeria,” he added.

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