Nigerian Politicians Spend Over $11.2m on U.S. Lobbyists as 2027 Election Battle Shifts to Washington
By Kabir Akintayo
For decades, political influence in Nigeria was won through endorsements from traditional rulers, regional power brokers and grassroots networks. Today, a new battleground has emerged—Washington D.C., where Nigerian political actors are spending millions of dollars on American lobbying and public relations firms in a bid to shape U.S. perceptions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A PRNigeria investigation, based on filings under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), media reports and publicly available records, reveals that the Federal Government, opposition figures and politically connected individuals have committed over $11.2 million to U.S. lobbying firms within months. The scale of spending marks an unprecedented internationalisation of Nigeria’s political competition.
FG’s $9 Million Security Lobbying Contract
Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice show that Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm, retained Washington lobbying giant DCI Group on behalf of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The agreement, signed December 17, 2025, is valued at $9 million for one year, with an initial six‑month term ending June 30, 2026, and automatic renewal. Financial records show the Nigerian government paid $4.5 million upfront, covering the first six months, with a monthly retainer of $750,000 thereafter.
The contract was not designed to influence elections. Instead, DCI Group was hired to counter allegations in Washington that Christians were facing systematic persecution in Nigeria. The firm was tasked with explaining Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christian communities and sustain U.S. support for counter‑terrorism operations against jihadist groups in West Africa.
The lobbying push followed intense scrutiny from conservative U.S. politicians and advocacy groups. In late 2025, President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers, including Senator Ted Cruz, repeatedly raised concerns about attacks on Christian communities, with some describing the situation as “genocide.”
Nigerian authorities rejected the characterisation, insisting the violence stemmed from terrorism, banditry and communal conflicts—not religious persecution.
Private Actors Join the Washington Race
Beyond government contracts, politically connected individuals have also entered the lobbying arena.
FARA filings show that Matthew Tonlagha, Vice President of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, retained Valcour Global Public Strategy under a six‑month, $720,000 contract. Valcour, founded by former Trump administration official Matt Mowers, was engaged to strengthen U.S.–Nigeria relations through outreach to the Trump administration, Congress and American media.
Although Tonlagha signed the contract personally, its objectives align with broader Abuja–Washington diplomatic efforts. Public records do not indicate Federal Government funding.
Separate disclosures show Nigeria also retained BGR Government Affairs, another major Washington lobbying firm, under a contract reportedly worth $900,000.
Together, the DCI and BGR engagements represent nearly $9.9 million in disclosed federal lobbying commitments.
Opposition Moves Into Washington
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The lobbying contest is no longer limited to government.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a leading opposition figure ahead of 2027, signed a $1.2 million agreement with Washington-based Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. The contract, executed March 9–10, 2026, runs for 12 months and is payable in six instalments.
The firm is authorised to engage members of Congress, congressional staff and executive branch officials while promoting Atiku’s leadership profile and policy positions. One stated objective is to “counterbalance” narratives advanced by the Nigerian government in Washington.
The engagement has since expanded beyond image building. The lobbying firm disclosed that it has circulated historical U.S. Department of Justice records relating to a decades-old civil forfeiture case involving President Bola Tinubu to members of Congress and officials in the Trump administration. It also announced plans to advocate sanctions against individuals found to undermine Nigeria’s electoral process.
El‑Rufai Supporters Also Hire U.S. Lobbyists
Supporters of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El‑Rufai have also adopted the Washington strategy.
The El‑Rufai Support Group Association (ERSGA) retained Vanguard Africa, a Washington-based democracy advocacy organisation, to brief U.S. policymakers on El‑Rufai’s legal challenges and advocate for due process ahead of 2027. No financial value was disclosed.
ERSGA said Vanguard Africa will engage officials within the U.S. administration, Congress, democracy institutions and multilateral organisations.
Nigeria’s Long History of Seeking U.S. Validation
Nigeria’s political class has long sought recognition from Washington. During President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, U.S. attention intensified over corruption, governance and the Boko Haram insurgency. The 2015 election drew unprecedented international interest, with former President Barack Obama urging credible polls.
Analysts argue that international perception has increasingly become part of Nigeria’s electoral environment—even though elections remain constitutionally determined by Nigerian voters.
Whether current lobbying expenditures have produced measurable outcomes remains unclear. Since the FG engaged U.S. lobbyists, security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States has continued, including intelligence sharing and counter‑terrorism collaboration. President Trump has also commended President Tinubu’s counter‑terrorism approach in recent correspondence.
However, experts caution that such developments cannot be attributed solely to lobbying, given broader strategic and diplomatic interests.
Washington: Nigeria’s New Political Arena
Government actors, opposition politicians and private individuals are now investing heavily in shaping conversations in Washington rather than limiting political communication to Nigeria.
Supporters argue that lobbying is a legitimate tool of modern diplomacy, especially since FARA requires transparency through public disclosure. Critics question whether spending millions on foreign lobbyists is prudent at a time of economic hardship, inflation and pressing domestic needs.
As the race toward 2027 intensifies, one question looms: Will Washington become an increasingly decisive battleground in Nigeria’s political contest—or will electoral success ultimately depend, as always, on the votes of Nigerians rather than influence in foreign capitals?
By PRNigeria
