The Federal Government has hired a United States–based lobbying firm in a $9 million contract to engage American authorities and policymakers on Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christian communities and combat terrorism.
Documents filed with the United States Department of Justice reveal that the engagement was facilitated by Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm, acting on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The firm retained for the assignment is DCI Group, a Washington-based public affairs and lobbying company.
The agreement, signed on December 17, 2025, was executed by Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, managing partner of Aster Legal, and Justin Peterson, managing member of DCI Group.
According to the contract, the lobbying 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 contract is structured to run for an initial six-month period ending June 30, 2026, with an automatic renewal clause for another six months unless terminated by either party.
It also contains a termination provision allowing either party to withdraw from the agreement “for any reason without penalty” by issuing a 60-day advance written notice.
Financial terms of the contract show that DCI Group is to receive a monthly retainer of $750,000, bringing the total value of the deal to $9 million over one year. Nigeria paid $4.5 million on December 12 as an upfront six-month retainer.
“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 states.
The hiring of the American lobbying firm comes amid growing attention from the United States over reports alleging the killing of Christians in Nigeria.
In October, US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” following allegations of a Christian genocide in the country.
The Nigerian government has consistently denied the genocide claims, insisting that insecurity in the country is not religiously targeted and affects all communities. Authorities have also pledged continued diplomatic engagement with the United States to clarify Nigeria’s position.
In November, President Trump further escalated his rhetoric, threatening to go into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing to wipe out the terrorists killing our cherished Christians”, after repeated claims by some US lawmakers of targeted attacks on Christians in the West African nation.
On Christmas Day, the United States carried out airstrikes on two terrorist enclaves in the Bauni forest area of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, underscoring Washington’s expanding security interest in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
