Nigeria’s bid to shape Washington’s perception of its internal security crisis has escalated into a fierce lobbying contest, with the federal government dramatically outspending Biafran secessionist groups as both sides seek to influence President Donald Trump over claims of a “Christian genocide.”
According to a report by UK-based Africa Confidential, President Bola Tinubu’s administration moved swiftly after Trump warned in November 2025 that he could intervene in Nigeria “guns ablazing.” Alarmed by the statement, Abuja signed a $750,000-a-month, six-month renewable contract with Republican-linked DCI Group to press Nigeria’s case in Washington.
The lobbying deal, reportedly routed through Aster Legal, focuses on visa policy, military cooperation, trade and tariffs, while highlighting government efforts to protect Christians and Muslims and counter jihadist violence.
The scale of the engagement far outweighs that of the Biafran Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), which is paying $66,000 a month to the smaller Madison & Washington firm. That contract seeks US sanctions against Nigerian officials, greater engagement with a proposed Biafran administration and even future military support and favourable oil deals in a hypothetical independent Biafra - a vision the oil-rich Niger Delta does not share.
Both sides are targeting conservative and evangelical networks close to Trump, a political space long cultivated by pro-Biafra and Christian advocacy groups. The lobbying battle has unfolded alongside intensified US–Nigeria security cooperation, including joint intelligence coordination and US air strikes on suspected jihadist targets in northern Nigeria over Christmas.
Africa Confidential reported that DCI Group is being paid $750,000 monthly to explain Abuja’s security strategy and efforts to protect citizens of all faiths, and to reinforce US support for Nigeria’s fight against jihadist groups in West Africa. The contract runs initially for a year.
The report also detailed a rapid sequence of events following Trump’s remarks, including high-level meetings between National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu’s team and US defence officials, the creation of a US–Nigeria Joint Working Group on intelligence and arms procurement, and US air strikes in Sokoto and Zamfara states on Christmas Day.
US congressional approval is expected in the first quarter of 2026 on a proposed $346 million arms package for Nigeria, while Abuja has already received more than $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 veteran Republican operative and Trump appointee, are leading the Nigeria account. Another key figure, Diane London, is reportedly paying the firm’s fees on behalf of Aster Legal, though the source of the funds has not been disclosed.
Meanwhile, the Biafran lobbying effort appears riven by internal disputes. Africa Confidential said Madison & Washington’s contract was signed by Isaiah Harrison Anyaogu, also known as Ogechukwu Nkere, whose authority has been challenged by the BRGIE’s governing council.
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.
A DCI Group representative said the firm was supporting Nigeria in communicating its efforts to protect Christians and people of all faiths from violent extremism, while strengthening trade and commercial ties with the United States.
However, the move has drawn criticism from Christian advocacy groups, with campaigners accusing the Tinubu administration of prioritising Washington lobbying over addressing insecurity on the ground.
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