The Bola Tinubu administration is facing mounting criticism in the United States over its handling of violence against Christians, with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz accusing the Nigerian government of deploying public relations and lobbying to deflect scrutiny over the country’s worsening security crisis.
Cruz’s allegation followed revelations that Nigeria engaged a Washington-based public affairs and lobbying firm in a reported **$9 million contract** to communicate the government’s efforts to protect Christian communities and strengthen its engagement with U.S. policymakers.
The development has triggered a fresh diplomatic and political controversy, with critics questioning why substantial resources are being committed to international reputation management while deadly attacks continue to affect communities in parts of Nigeria.
Cruz, who has been vocal about alleged attacks against Christians in Nigeria, accused the Federal Government of responding to American concerns with a public relations campaign rather than addressing what he described as mass violence against Christians and religious minorities.
The Republican senator reiterated his position in a post on X on Wednesday, linking his criticism to an amendment recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that would increase the withholding of assistance to Nigeria from 50 per cent to 100 per cent until the country takes effective steps to prevent and respond to violence within its territory.
Cruz said Nigerian officials had created an environment that facilitated violence against Christians and religious minorities, alleging that the government had failed to adequately confront jihadist atrocities.
He also said the Nigerian government had chosen to wage a public relations campaign against its critics instead of addressing the concerns raised by American policymakers.
Cruz has previously sponsored the proposed **Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025**, which he said was intended to hold Nigerian officials accountable for what he described as the facilitation of mass killings of Christians.
The controversy intensified following reports that Nigeria engaged **DCI Group**, a U.S.-based public affairs and lobbying firm, under a reported $9 million annual contract.
According to the contract document cited in the report, Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm, retained DCI Group on behalf of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The arrangement was reportedly designed to strengthen Nigeria’s relationship with the United States and communicate the Federal Government’s efforts to protect Christian communities amid heightened scrutiny of the country’s security situation.
The reported engagement came months after U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern** over alleged serious religious freedom violations.
The lobbying arrangement has subsequently become part of the broader political debate in Washington over Nigeria’s security crisis.
Cruz is not the only U.S. lawmaker to question Nigeria’s approach.
Chris Smith, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, reportedly said the lobbying arrangements reflected what he described as a continuing “culture of denial” among Nigerian officials.
The criticism comes as U.S. lawmakers consider measures aimed at increasing pressure on Abuja to take more decisive action against violence.
Another Washington-based lobbying engagement was also reported during the same period, with Matthew Tonlagha, vice-chairman of Tantita Security Services, engaging Valcour Global Public Strategy for the stated purpose of strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United States.
Ted Cruz
