Nigeria Hiring Lobbyists to Mask Christian Killings, Security Crisis: U.S. Senator Ted Cruz

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has sharply criticized the Nigerian government, accusing it of employing public relations firms to obscure the ongoing killings of Christians and mask the nation's severe security crisis. Cruz expressed dismay over Nigeria's decision to hire a lobbying entity to communicate its efforts in protecting Christians to the U.S. government, viewing it as a tactic to deflect American concerns.

Nigeria reportedly contracted DCI Group, a U.S.-based public affairs and lobbying firm, for $9 million in December. This move followed Nigeria's designation as a 'country of particular concern' by the previous U.S. administration. According to documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, the contract was initiated by Aster Legal, a law firm in Kaduna State, on behalf of Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

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Nigerian officials have created an environment that facilitates mass violence against Christians and religious minorities by imposing blasphemy and Sharia laws and looking the other way at jihadist atrocities.

Senator Cruz, who previously proposed the 'Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025,' aims to hold Nigerian officials accountable for allegedly facilitating mass violence against Christians and religious minorities. He argues that these officials create an environment conducive to such violence through policies like blasphemy and Sharia laws, while ignoring alleged "jihadist atrocities."

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The U.S. government knows the Nigerian officials responsible for these policies, I have been pushing my bill to sanction them, and President Trump has even ordered military action.

Cruz's remarks come in response to an amendment passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. This amendment proposes increasing the withholding of U.S. assistance to Nigeria from 50% to 100% until the country demonstrates effective measures to prevent and address internal violence. He stated that instead of addressing U.S. concerns, Nigerian officials have pursued a public relations campaign, but he is heartened that the House has proven them wrong.

Meanwhile, Timi Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary for Nigeria's All Progressives Congress (APC), alleged that the Nigerian Presidency is misleading the public by presenting a letter from former U.S. President Donald Trump as an endorsement of President Bola Tinubu's administration. This adds another layer to the political discourse surrounding Nigeria's international relations and internal security.

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Instead of responding to American concerns, Nigerian officials waged a public relations campaign against critics.