$9m Lobby deal: Experts Say Insecurity Needs Action, Not PR, warns It May Expose Nigeria’s Security System

A criminologist and security expert, Dr. Sulaiman Ishak Muhammad of the Federal University, Dutse, has warned that the Federal Government’s reported $9 million lobbying agreement in the United States could expose Nigeria’s internal security system and reduce its independence. He made this known while reacting to reports that the government hired a US-based firm to project its efforts at protecting Christian communities in Nigeria.
Dr. Muhammad explained that the contract was reportedly signed on December 17, 2025, through a legal firm in Kaduna acting for the Office of the National Security Adviser. The agreement, which is said to run for six months with an option for renewal, allegedly involves a lobbying firm known as DCI Group. He added that part of the payment, said to be $4.5 million, had already been made, while the firm is expected to receive monthly payments under the deal.
He stated that the purpose of the contract is to counter claims that Christian communities are neglected or unsafe in Nigeria and to present the country as committed to protecting all its citizens. He noted that the government appears to be trying to improve Nigeria’s image abroad, especially in the United States, and gain acceptance in global economic and political circles.
Despite these intentions, Dr. Muhammad warned that the arrangement could expose Nigeria’s internal security methods to foreign interests. He said powerful countries often pursue wider political and economic goals when they gain access to another nation’s systems. According to him, Nigeria’s natural resources, including oil and minerals, make the country attractive to foreign pressure, which could grow once external actors gain deeper involvement.
He further cautioned that allowing foreign influence under the cover of protection or assistance could weaken Nigeria’s sovereignty. He added that countries that experience such external interference often face long-term instability and loss of control over their internal affairs. He also warned that Nigeria’s growing oil production and refinery capacity could attract more pressure from global powers seeking to protect their own interests.
Dr. Muhammad added that Nigeria’s religious communities currently coexist peacefully and that pushing foreign narratives about religious persecution could deepen divisions and threaten national unity. He noted that Nigeria’s ethnic and cultural diversity makes it sensitive to external claims that may influence how citizens see one another.
In a similar reaction, security analyst Abdullahi Bokaji Adamu criticised the lobbying deal, saying international public relations cannot replace real action against insecurity. He said insecurity in Nigeria affects people across all religions and ethnic groups and should not be framed narrowly for foreign audiences. According to him, Nigeria’s security problems stem from terrorism, banditry, weak policing, poor intelligence coordination, and governance issues.
Adamu warned that trying to sell a positive image abroad without visible improvement at home could damage Nigeria’s credibility. He stated that while governments sometimes engage lobbyists, trust is built through clear results such as better civilian protection, stronger policing, and accountability, not expensive contracts.
Public affairs analyst Mahdi Shehu also condemned the reported agreement, describing it as a sign that the government has failed to address insecurity. He questioned why such a large sum would be spent on lobbying if real progress had been made on the ground. He argued that the funds could have been used to support businesses, reduce unemployment, and directly improve citizens’ lives.
Shehu further alleged that the process lacked transparency and accused the government of poor judgment at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with insecurity, hunger, and joblessness. He warned that relying on foreign lobbying instead of solving internal problems could further weaken public trust and national stability.

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