US Lawmakers Take Aim At Nigeria Over Religious Freedom, Knock $9m Lobbying Deal

United States lawmakers on Wednesday renewed their criticism of Nigeria’s human rights record, expressing fresh concerns over alleged violations of religious freedom and the country’s lobbying activities in Washington.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

At a congressional hearing held in Washington, D.C., Nigeria was highlighted among nations where religious liberty is reportedly under serious threat—an assessment Nigerian authorities have consistently disputed.

According to Naija News, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Rep. Chris Smith, spoke forcefully during the session, referencing reports by Genocide Watch in his assessment of the situation in Nigeria.

“Nigeria is a killing field of defenceless Christians,” Smith stated.

Although he acknowledged what he described as modest progress by the Nigerian government in addressing religious freedom concerns, Smith commended the Biden administration’s recent decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

“That wrong in our foreign policy has been corrected with the President’s CPC designation, and we thank him for taking that step,” he said.

The hearing also focused sharply on Nigeria’s lobbying engagements in the United States. Smith criticised a $9 million lobbying agreement reportedly signed in December 2025 between the Nigerian government and DCI Group, a Washington-based lobbying and public relations firm, aimed at shaping U.S. perceptions of Nigeria’s religious freedom record.

He further referenced another contract involving Matthew Tonlagha, vice chairman of Tantita Security Services, who allegedly retained Valcour Global Public Strategy at a cost of $120,000 per month to enhance U.S.-Nigeria relations.

“I am deeply troubled that Nigeria hired the K Street firm DCI for $9 million, while a Nigerian billionaire has entered into a $120,000-a-month agreement with Valcour to influence Congress and the Executive Branch,” Smith said.

“They produce polished talking points suggesting there is nothing to worry about, and unfortunately, these firms are very effective advocates for their clients,” he added.

Lawmakers Split Over CPC Designation

During deliberations, lawmakers expressed differing views on the impact of Nigeria’s renewed CPC designation. Some members argued that the label amounted to little more than public condemnation without concrete consequences, while others maintained it was necessary to refocus international attention on Nigeria’s religious freedom challenges.

Rep. Joaquin Castro, in his remarks, accused the Trump administration of inconsistency in its Nigeria policy, alleging that while it claimed to defend Christians, it simultaneously reduced development assistance meant to tackle systemic religious discrimination.

“They claimed to be protecting Christians, yet cut the very assistance that could have addressed discrimination against religious communities,” Castro said.