The Nigerian federal government has contracted a Washington-based lobbying and public affairs firm, DCI Group, for $9 million to help communicate its measures to protect Christian communities and secure continued US support in combating jihadist threats in West Africa.
The arrangement, disclosed through filings with the US Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), was facilitated by Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm acting on behalf of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The contract was signed on December 17, 2025, by Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, managing partner of Aster Legal, and Justin Peterson, managing member of DCI Group.
According to the agreement, DCI Group is tasked with assisting the Nigerian government “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 firm, known for its Republican connections and ties to figures in former President Donald Trump's circle, will engage US officials, policymakers, and stakeholders on these issues.
The deal is structured as a one-year agreement valued at $750,000 per month (covering professional fees and expenses), payable in two six-month installments of $4.5 million each.
The first tranche of $4.5 million was reportedly paid on December 12, 2025, ahead of the formal signing.
The initial term runs until June 30, 2026, with an automatic renewal for another six months unless terminated. Either party can end the contract without penalty by providing 60 days' advance written notice.
This high-value lobbying effort comes amid heightened US scrutiny of violence against Christians in Nigeria, including claims of genocide in the North.
In late 2025, President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a country of particular concern and issued strong statements threatening direct action against terrorists targeting Christians.
Recent US air strikes on jihadist positions in northern Nigeria, including on Christmas Day 2025, have further reflected bilateral security dynamics.
The engagement of DCI Group described in some reports as one of the largest such contracts for an African nation reflects Abuja's proactive strategy to shape perceptions in Washington, counter separatist narratives, and reinforce cooperation on counterterrorism, military support, trade, and other areas.
DCI Group has assigned a team of nine personnel to the account, including senior figures like Peterson and advisor Doug Davenport.
No immediate comments were available from the Nigerian government, Aster Legal, or DCI Group regarding the specifics of ongoing activities under the contract.
The move has sparked discussions in Nigerian and international media about the scale of expenditure and its timing, particularly in the context of domestic security challenges and international relations under the current US administration.
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