By Obinna Uballa
Nigeria’s effort to influence United States perception of its internal security crisis has escalated into an aggressive lobbying war, with the federal government dramatically outspending Biafran secessionist groups as both sides seek to sway President Donald Trump over claims of a “Christian genocide” in the country.
According to a detailed report by UK-based publication Africa Confidential, President Bola Tinubu’s administration and its allies moved swiftly after Trump threatened in November 2025 to go into Nigeria “guns ablazing,” signing a $750,000-a-month, six-month renewable lobbying contract with Republican-linked DCI Group to counter separatist narratives in the US capital.
The contract, reportedly routed through Aster Legal, is aimed at pressing Nigeria’s case on visa policy, military cooperation, trade and tariffs, while emphasising government efforts to protect Christians and Muslims and combat jihadist violence across the country.
The scale of Abuja’s lobbying effort dwarfs that of the shadowy Biafran Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), which is paying just $66,000 a month to the smaller Madison & Washington firm. The Biafran contract seeks US sanctions against Nigerian officials, greater engagement with a putative Biafran administration and even support for future military action and preferential oil deals with Washington in a hypothetical independent Biafra – a vision the oil-rich Niger Delta does not share.
Both camps are targeting the same conservative and evangelical political networks close to Trump, a constituency Biafran activists have cultivated for decades. The lobbying scramble has coincided with intensified US–Nigeria security cooperation, including joint intelligence coordination and US air strikes on suspected jihadist targets in northern Nigeria over Christmas, highlighting how narratives pushed in Washington are now intersecting with real military and diplomatic decisions.
Africa Confidential reported that DCI Group, which has close links to Trump’s political circle, is being paid $750,000 monthly to explain Abuja’s security strategy and efforts to protect citizens of all faiths, and to secure US backing against jihadist groups in West Africa. The deal runs initially for a year.
By contrast, the Madison & Washington contract, announced on January 10, is described as ambitious for its $66,000 monthly fee. Its stated objectives include defence and counter-terrorism cooperation and engagement with US oil companies under a future Biafran administration, while alleging that violence against Christians in Nigeria is enabled by the Tinubu government – claims Abuja strongly rejects.
The report notes that pro-Biafra and Christian advocacy groups have previously secured endorsements from senior US Republicans, including Senator Ted Cruz and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a factor that may have prompted the Tinubu administration and its supporters to move decisively with a high-powered lobbying firm.
Africa Confidential detailed a rapid timeline of events: Trump’s November 1 threat to intervene militarily in Nigeria; subsequent high-level engagements by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu with US defence officials; the establishment of a US–Nigeria Joint Working Group on intelligence and arms requests; and US air strikes on jihadist targets in Sokoto and Zamfara states on Christmas Day, reportedly at Trump’s insistence.
The publication also reported that the US Congress is expected in the first quarter of 2026 to decide on approval of $346 million worth of precision bombs and rockets for Nigeria, while Nigeria has already received over $100 million in military equipment in recent weeks. At least 12 Bell Textron AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters, valued at about $997 million, are also due for delivery by 2028.
DCI Group’s managing member, Justin Peterson, and senior adviser Doug Davenport – a Trump appointee and veteran Republican operative – are leading the Nigeria account. Another key figure, Diane London, is reportedly paying DCI’s fees on behalf of Aster Legal, though the source of the funds has not been publicly disclosed.
Meanwhile, the Biafran lobbying effort appears internally fractured. Africa Confidential said Madison & Washington’s contract was signed by Isaiah Harrison Anyaogu, also known as Ogechukwu Nkere, who claims to be acting prime minister of the Biafran government in exile. However, the BRGIE’s governing council has disputed his authority, alleging he was expelled and is misleading the public.
Despite the controversy, sources in Abuja confirmed that the federal government has indeed engaged DCI Group to support Nigeria’s strategic engagement with the United States across diplomatic, security, trade and values-based policy priorities.
According to a source familiar with the arrangement, the engagement is designed to ensure “clear, consistent and credible communication” of Nigeria’s security efforts, democratic governance and economic reforms, while strengthening cooperation with US policymakers, Congress, faith leaders, the business community and the media.
A DCI Group representative said the firm was pleased to support Nigeria in communicating its efforts to protect Christians and people of all faiths from jihadist violence and to deepen trade and commercial ties with the United States.
However, the move has drawn criticism from Christian advocacy groups. Mike Arnold, a leading campaigner for Nigerian Christians, accused the Tinubu administration of spending millions on “Washington PR spin” rather than addressing insecurity on the ground.
“This isn’t protection,” Arnold said. “This is narrative warfare paid for with public money, while attacks on Christian communities continue.”
