Nigeria Approves $9m US Lobbying Deal To Ease Tensions With Trump Administration Over Christian Killings, Insecurity, and Travel Restrictions
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has approved a controversial $9 million lobbying contract with Washington-based DCI Group to persuade the Trump administration and key U.S. lawmakers that Nigeria is taking concrete action against insecurity, including the killings of Christians in northern Nigeria. U.S. Justice Department filings show an initial $4.5 million payment was made in December 2025, with another $4.5 million due by July 2026. The deal follows Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” a partial U.S. travel ban, and a U.S. military airstrike in Sokoto targeting insurgent hideouts. The lobbying effort, facilitated by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu through Aster Legal, aims to maintain U.S. support against jihadist groups and improve strained diplomatic relations. Additional outreach included a letter from Senate President Godswill Akpabio inviting U.S. lawmakers to visit Abuja. Analysts say the contract signals urgency by Tinubu’s government to reset ties with Washington.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has approved a controversial $9 million lobbying contract with Washington-based DCI Group to persuade the Trump administration and key U.S. lawmakers that Nigeria is taking concrete action against insecurity, including the killings of Christians in northern Nigeria. U.S. Justice Department filings show an initial $4.5 million payment was made in December 2025, with another $4.5 million due by July 2026. The deal follows Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” a partial U.S. travel ban, and a U.S. military airstrike in Sokoto targeting insurgent hideouts. The lobbying effort, facilitated by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu through Aster Legal, aims to maintain U.S. support against jihadist groups and improve strained diplomatic relations. Additional outreach included a letter from Senate President Godswill Akpabio inviting U.S. lawmakers to visit Abuja. Analysts say the contract signals urgency by Tinubu’s government to reset ties with Washington.
Nigeria Approves $9m US Lobbying Deal To Ease Tensions With Trump Administration Over Christian Killings, Insecurity, and Travel Restrictions
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has approved a controversial $9 million lobbying contract with Washington-based DCI Group to persuade the Trump administration and key U.S. lawmakers that Nigeria is taking concrete action against insecurity, including the killings of Christians in northern Nigeria. U.S. Justice Department filings show an initial $4.5 million payment was made in December 2025, with another $4.5 million due by July 2026. The deal follows Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” a partial U.S. travel ban, and a U.S. military airstrike in Sokoto targeting insurgent hideouts. The lobbying effort, facilitated by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu through Aster Legal, aims to maintain U.S. support against jihadist groups and improve strained diplomatic relations. Additional outreach included a letter from Senate President Godswill Akpabio inviting U.S. lawmakers to visit Abuja. Analysts say the contract signals urgency by Tinubu’s government to reset ties with Washington.
