The Federal Government has entered a 9 million dollar agreement with a United States lobbying firm to help communicate its efforts to safeguard Christian communities in Nigeria to the US government.
According to filings with the US Department of Justice, Kaduna based Aster Legal engaged Washington based DCI Group on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. DCI Group is a well known public affairs and lobbying outfit in the American political space.
The agreement was signed on December 17, 2025 by Aster Legal managing partner Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim and DCI Group managing member Justin Peterson. It runs from the date of signing through June 30, 2026, with an option for automatic renewal for an additional six months.
Under the terms, DCI Group is expected to assist the Nigerian government through Aster Legal in explaining its actions aimed at protecting Christian communities in Nigeria and preserving US support in countering jihadist networks and other destabilising groups in West Africa.
The contract permits either side to terminate the engagement without penalty, provided a 60 day written notice is issued.
Financial records attached to the filings show that Nigeria paid DCI Group 4.5 million dollars on December 12 as a six month retainer. The contract sets a monthly retainer of 750,000 dollars, to be paid in two tranches of 4.5 million dollars each.
This engagement follows increased scrutiny in Washington over reports of attacks on Christian populations in parts of Nigeria. In October, President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over allegations the Nigerian government has rejected. In November, Trump publicly warned about potential US action against extremist networks operating in Nigeria. On Christmas Day, the US military announced targeted air operations against identified militant enclaves in Sokoto State.
The Federal Government has consistently maintained that it is protecting all communities and has pushed back against claims of religious persecution, arguing that the violence in the affected regions is driven by criminality and insurgency rather than sectarian policy.
