Chinwe Odita
US Senator Ted Cruz has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of hiring American lobbyists to “mask” insecurity and the killings of Christians in Nigeria, instead of addressing American concerns about religious violence.
Cruz made the accusation this week in a post on X, as the US House of Representatives passed an amendment that would increase the withholding of US assistance to Nigeria from 50% to 100% until Abuja takes “effective steps” to prevent and respond to violence.
According to documents filed with the US Department of Justice, Nigeria engaged DCI Group, a Washington-based public affairs firm, in a $9 million contract in December 2024. The contract was signed by Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm, on behalf of the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The engagement came months after the Trump administration designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom violations.
Cruz said the lobbying deal was meant to deflect criticism.
“Instead of responding to American concerns, Nigerian officials waged a public relations campaign against critics. They were confident in that campaign and in their ability to continue the status quo, and I am heartened that the House has just definitively proven them wrong,” he wrote.
“Nigerian officials have created an environment that facilitates mass violence against Christians and religious minorities by imposing blasphemy and Sharia laws and looking the other way at jihadist atrocities.”
The Texas senator, who in October 2024 introduced the ‘Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025’, said the bill is aimed at sanctioning Nigerian officials he accuses of “facilitating the mass murder of Christians.” He added that “President Trump has even ordered military action” in response to the crisis.
Lawmakers approved the amendment by voice vote last Wednesday. It seeks to block all US assistance to Nigeria until the government demonstrates concrete action to curb violence.
House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith also criticized the lobbying deals, saying they showed “a culture of denial by Nigerian officials persists.”
In the same month Nigeria hired DCI Group, Matthew Tonlagha, vice-chairman of Tantita Security Services, also retained Valcour Global Public Strategy, another Washington firm, “for the purpose of strengthening the bilateral relationship” between the US and Nigeria, according to filings.
The controversy deepened after former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, alleged that the Presidency was misleading Nigerians by presenting a reported letter from US President Donald Trump as an endorsement of the Tinubu administration.
Frank did not provide evidence of the letter, but said it was being used to create a false impression of US support amid growing pressure in Washington over Nigeria’s security record.
US lawmakers have introduced several measures in recent months aimed at pressuring Abuja to address insecurity, kidnappings, and attacks on farming communities, many of which have disproportionately affected Christian populations in the Middle Belt and North.
The Nigerian government has consistently denied targeting any religious group and has said it is working with security agencies and international partners to restore order.
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