Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, has voiced serious concerns about Nigeria's engagement of high-profile lobbying firms in the United States, warning that such expenditures could strain bilateral relations amid ongoing scrutiny of Nigeria's human rights record, religious freedom issues, and security challenges.
During a recent joint hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittees on Africa and Western Hemisphere titled "Defending Religious Freedom Around the World," Smith highlighted two significant lobbying arrangements. He stated that the Nigerian government had retained the prominent K Street firm DCI Group under a contract valued at $9 million—equivalent to approximately $750,000 per month. Separately, he alleged that a Nigerian billionaire had signed a $120,000-per-month deal with Valcour (also referred to as Valcour Global or Valcour LLC) to influence both Congress and the executive branch.
“I’m deeply concerned that Nigeria has hired the K Street lobbying firm, DCI, to the tune of $9 million, $750,000 a month. And a Nigerian billionaire has entered into a $120,000 a month contract with Valcour to influence Congress & the executive branch,” Smith remarked in his opening statement.
The DCI Group contract, facilitated through Kaduna-based Aster Legal on behalf of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, was signed in December 2025. U.S. Department of Justice filings under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) indicate an initial $4.5 million payment as a six-month retainer, with a second tranche due in July 2026, totaling $9 million. The engagement aims to communicate Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christian communities, counter perceptions of religious persecution, and sustain U.S. support for counter-terrorism cooperation in West Africa. DCI Group, known for its strategic communications and government relations expertise, has a history of representing foreign governments and major corporations seeking to shape U.S. policy, legislation, and public narratives.
The second arrangement involves Matthew Tonlagha, a prominent Nigerian businessman, philanthropist, and vice-chairman of Tantita Security Services, who engaged Valcour through his company, Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited. The contract, effective from December 30, 2025, focuses on strategic communications and government affairs to strengthen U.S.-Nigeria bilateral ties. Valcour, founded in 2023 by Matt Mowers—a former White House adviser and Trump administration official—specializes in congressional outreach and executive-branch engagement for international clients.
Smith’s remarks were made in the context of a hearing addressing global religious freedom threats, where he defended the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act in October 2025. He described the CPC status as “long overdue” due to persistent violence against Christian communities, citing organizations like Genocide Watch that have labeled parts of Nigeria as “a killing field of defenceless Christians.” While acknowledging “small steps” by Nigerian authorities to address these issues, Smith criticized the lobbying efforts as evidence of a “culture of denial” among officials, suggesting they prioritize polished messaging over substantive reforms.
Nigeria–U.S. relations have historically been built on security partnerships—particularly counter-terrorism cooperation against groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP—trade, and support for democratic governance. However, ties have faced increasing strain in recent years due to concerns over human rights abuses, democratic backsliding, corruption allegations, and the inability to curb widespread violence, including attacks on religious minorities in the Middle Belt and northern regions. Advocacy groups and lawmakers like Smith have repeatedly called for stronger U.S. accountability measures, including potential sanctions or other policy tools available under CPC designation.
Smith has long been a leading voice on Nigeria in Congress, advocating for enhanced oversight and action on governance, security, and religious freedom. His comments reflect broader Capitol Hill unease that substantial funds spent on lobbying—rather than domestic priorities like security or development—may undermine credibility and complicate diplomatic engagement.
The lobbying disclosures align with Nigeria’s efforts to navigate heightened U.S. scrutiny under the Trump administration, including threats of military action or stricter policies amid regional instability. Critics argue the expenditures highlight a reactive approach to international perceptions rather than addressing root causes of insecurity and rights violations.
Neither the Nigerian government nor the involved firms have publicly responded to Smith’s specific criticisms as of the latest reports. The contracts remain active under FARA transparency rules, which require detailed reporting of foreign lobbying activities in the U.S.
As congressional attention on Nigeria intensifies, Smith’s intervention underscores the potential for these lobbying arrangements to further complicate an already challenging bilateral relationship, particularly as lawmakers weigh stronger enforcement of religious freedom protections and accountability mechanisms.
