Nigeria hires US lobby firms amid Trump claims of christian ‘genocide’

Nigerian businessman Matthew Tonlagha has formalized a contract with the American lobbying firm Valcour, intended to enhance the bilateral relationship between Abuja and Washington. This agreement is documented on a U.S. government platform where lobbyists must register their affiliations with foreign governments.

In December, Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, concluded an agreement with the American firm DCI, valued at $750,000 per month. The purpose of this contract is to facilitate communication regarding Nigeria’s protective measures for Christian communities and to maintain U.S. support against West African jihadist groups.

These lobbying efforts are in response to claims made in late 2025, suggesting that violence in Nigeria amounted to the persecution of Christians. Both the Nigerian government and independent analysts have contested this characterization.

Valcour's contract with Tonlagha is valued at $120,000 monthly and spans six months. The firm will lobby U.S. media, the Trump administration, and Congress to strengthen U.S.-Nigeria relations.

On Dec 25 last year, the U.S. military conducted airstrikes in northwestern Nigeria, targeting groups identified as Islamic State fighters, members of the jihadist Lakurawa group, and "bandits." The number of casualties remains undisclosed, with reports confirming damage to farmland and civilian structures.

Valcour was established in 2023 by Matt Mowers, a former White House adviser. Matthew Tonlagha serves as vice president of Tantita Security, a company focused on oil facility protection, owned by Oweizidei Thomas Ekpemupolo. Ekpemupolo, a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), has secured contracts with the Nigerian government for oil facility protection. He supports President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign for 2027.

Based on reporting by Africanews.