The Federal Government has secretly moved to shore up Nigeria’s international image, splashing a whopping $9 million on a powerful United States lobbying firm to counter allegations of killings of Christians and reassure Washington of its security efforts.
Documents filed with the US Department of Justice reveal that the deal was executed through Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm, acting on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Aster Legal retained DCI Group, a well-known American public affairs and lobbying firm, to carry out the assignment.
The contract, signed on December 17, 2025, was executed by Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, managing partner of Aster Legal, and Justin Peterson, managing member of DCI Group.
Under the agreement, the US firm is mandated to “assist the Nigerian government through Aster Legal in communicating its actions to protect Nigerian Christian communities and maintaining U.S support in countering West African jihadist groups and other destabilizing elements”.
The initial duration of the contract is six months, running until June 30, 2026, with provisions for automatic renewal. Either party can terminate the agreement without penalty by giving a 60-day written notice.
Financial records tied to the contract show that Nigeria paid DCI Group $4.5 million on December 12 as a prepayment for the first six months.
“Client shall pay Consultant a monthly retainer 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 contract reads.
The controversial move comes as the US government intensifies its focus on insecurity in Nigeria, particularly reports alleging targeted killings of Christians. In October, Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’, citing claims of Christian persecution.
Abuja has repeatedly denied allegations of a Christian genocide, insisting that the country’s security challenges are criminal and insurgent-driven, not religiously motivated, while pledging diplomatic engagement with Washington.
The situation escalated in November when US President Donald Trump threatened to go into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing to wipe out the terrorists killing our cherished Christians”, following mounting pressure from some American politicians.
On Christmas Day, the United States carried out air strikes on two terrorist enclaves in the Bauni forest area of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State, highlighting Washington’s heightened security interest in Nigeria.
