Nigeria has hired a Washington lobbying firm to help shore up U.S. support and push back against what it calls misinformation from U.S.-based evangelical groups and other lobbyists over the government’s efforts to protect Christians.
A U.S. Justice Department filing dated Dec. 18 shows Nigeria contracted DCI Group for an initial six-month period worth $4.5 million, with a similar fee due if the agreement is extended for another six months. The filing was posted on the DOJ website.
Nigeria’s presidency and DCI did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The filing drew attention in Nigerian media on Wednesday.
The contract says DCI will assist the Nigerian government in communicating steps taken to protect Christian communities, and in maintaining U.S. backing for Nigeria’s fight against West African jihadist groups and other destabilising actors.
The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” in November and warned of possible military action if Abuja fails to curb the killing of Christians.
Nigeria denies that Christians face systematic persecution, saying violence in parts of the country has affected both Muslim and Christian civilians. Authorities say they are battling Islamist insurgents in the northeast, armed kidnapping gangs in the northwest, and recurring clashes in the central “middle belt” between largely Muslim herders and mostly Christian farmers.
Trump has also highlighted recent U.S. military actions in Nigeria. He said a U.S. airstrike in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day killed multiple Islamic State militants, and told the New York Times last week that further strikes could follow if Christians are killed.
On Tuesday, U.S. Africa Command said it delivered critical military supplies to Nigeria to strengthen operations, signalling closer cooperation between Washington and Abuja.
DCI Group describes itself on its website as a team of political operatives and communications strategists with expertise in reshaping external narratives and targeting messages to specific audiences.