Members of the US Congress accused Nigeria’s government of funneling $9 million to American lobbyists in a bid to undermine reports of violence against Christians, during a hearing on global religious freedom that spotlighted the African nation’s handling of extremist assaults.
The allegations surfaced at a joint session of the Africa and Western Hemisphere subcommittees on Wednesday, where Republican lawmaker Chris Smith lambasted President Bola Tinubu’s administration for enlisting firms to sway perceptions amid ongoing killings in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
“I am deeply concerned that Nigeria has hired the K-Street lobbying firm DCI to the tune of $9 million (that’s $750,000 a month), and a Nigerian billionaire has entered into a $120,000-a-month contract with Valcour to influence Congress and the Executive Branch,” Smith said.
He added: “Christians in the Middle Belt are still being massacred. The government of Nigeria has taken small steps, but a culture of denial by Nigerian officials persists.”
Smith criticized the Biden administration’s removal of Nigeria from a list of countries of particular concern for religious freedom violations, praising Trump’s October 2025 redesignation as “necessary, long-overdue, and bold.”
“Tragically, and inexplicably, President Biden and Secretary Blinken took Nigeria off the list—effectively giving the Nigerian government a free pass for enabling religious violence,” he stated.
Urging action, Smith said: “Now, while the iron is hot, we must urge the government of Nigeria to protect the rights of persecuted Christians and non-radical Muslims. The CPC designation is a phenomenal first step, but in statute, it is accompanied by 15 different policy tools—including sanctions and other economic penalties that can and must be employed to improve the situation on the ground.”
