Panel for United States Congress don strongly criticise di Federal Government of Nigeria over reported $9 million lobbying contract for Washington, warn say di deal look like attempt to water down serious human rights and religious freedom violations for Nigeria.
Di concern come out on Wednesday during joint hearing of di US House Subcommittee on Africa and Subcommittee on di Western Hemisphere, wey dem title “Defending Religious Freedom Around the World.”
During di hearing, former US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, and former chairman of di US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Dr Stephen Schneck, give testimonies.
Chairman of di House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, Chris Smith, defend di October 2025 decision to label Nigeria as Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under di International Religious Freedom Act, say di move don delay for too long because of years of deadly attacks against Christian communities.
Smith express worry say Nigeria hire lobbying firm DCI Group for about $9m, around $750,000 every month, to influence US lawmakers. He also reveal say one Nigerian billionaire sign $120,000 monthly contract with Washington-based consulting firm Valcour to lobby Congress and di US Executive Branch.
According to am, “Dem hire these firms make dem write sweet talking points to say say nothing dey happen, and unfortunately these lobbyists dey very good at defending dia clients.”
While Smith support di CPC designation, ranking member of di committee, Sara Jacobs, criticise wetin she call narrow focus on Christian persecution alone. She say violence for Nigeria complex pass one religion, affect both Christians and Muslims.
Jacobs also fault di US government for cutting hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Nigeria, including programmes wey dey support faith leaders and communities hit by violence. She mention di cancellation of Community Initiatives to Promote Peace programme, say e help reduce violence before.
She warn say oversimplifying di crisis fit worsen religious tension instead of solving am. Jacobs also question di effectiveness of recent US military strikes for Sokoto State, say dem no really help affected communities.
Supporting dat view, former USCIRF chairman Stephen Schneck say di cost of di military strikes likely pass di money wey dem previously use for interfaith and humanitarian programmes. He warn say such strikes fit even push militant groups to unite stronger.
Schneck describe Nigeria problem as mix of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorism, farmer-herder clashes, banditry, organised crime, mass displacement and a government wey he call corrupt and failing to protect citizens.
Lawmakers also argue whether CPC designation alone enough. Rep. Jefferson Shreve question di impact, while Brownback insist say di label must come with sanctions, including Magnitsky sanctions and targeted economic penalties, to get result.
Records from US Department of Justice show say Aster Legal, based for Kaduna, retain DCI Group on behalf of Nigeria National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for agreement wey dem sign on December 17, 2025.
Separate documents also show say billionaire Matthew Tonlagha sign six-month, $120,000-per-month contract with Valcour to lobby US media, Congress and Trump administration to strengthen US–Nigeria relationship.
Valcour na firm wey former US State Department adviser Matt Mowers found in 2023. Tonlagha na vice-president of Tantita Security Services, company wey dey protect oil facilities, owned by ex-Niger Delta militant leader Oweizidei Ekpemupolo.
Di matter don raise fresh questions about Nigeria image abroad and di real commitment of both Nigerian and US authorities to address insecurity and religious violence.
