The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has allegedly approved a $9 million lobbying contract with a United States-based Republican-linked firm as diplomatic tensions rise between Nigeria and Washington.

An investigative report by The Africa Report published on Wednesday alleged that the contract was designed to engage the administration of US President Donald Trump and influential American lawmakers over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, particularly concerns surrounding the killing of Christians in parts of northern Nigeria.

According to the report, the arrangement was facilitated by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who allegedly coordinated the engagement of Washington lobbying firm DCI Group through a Kaduna-based law firm, Aster Legal.

Filings with the US Department of Justice, cited in the report, showed that the Nigerian government has already paid an initial $4.5 million to DCI Group on December 12, 2025.

The payment reportedly covers a six-month retainer, with a second instalment of $4.5 million due in July 2026, bringing the total contract value to $9 million, or about $750,000 monthly.

The filings indicated that DCI Group was engaged to help Nigeria communicate its efforts at protecting Christian communities and to sustain US backing for counterterrorism operations against jihadist groups operating in West Africa.

The agreement was signed on behalf of Aster Legal by its Managing Director, Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, and by Justin Peterson, Managing Partner of DCI Group. Peterson is a Republican strategist and a known ally of President Trump, having previously served on Puerto Rico’s fiscal management board during Trump’s first term.

The lobbying deal was reportedly concluded weeks after President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”, citing alleged failures by the Nigerian government to stem widespread killings of Christians.

Barely four days after the agreement was finalised, the United States announced a partial travel restriction on Nigerians, affecting tourist, business and student visa applicants. The Trump administration attributed the move to high visa overstay rates and what it described as Nigeria’s inadequate security vetting processes.

Tensions between both countries further escalated on December 25, 2025, when President Trump announced that US forces had conducted an airstrike on suspected insurgent hideouts in Sokoto State, northern Nigeria.

Trump later warned that additional military actions could follow if attacks against Christian communities persisted.