Nigeria Spent Million on Lobbyists While 125,000 Christians Were Martyred

USCIRF Demands Congress Ban Nigeria From Hiring Lobbyists to Hide Christian Persecution

The bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) issued a statement on February 13, 2026, calling on Congress to prohibit Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) from paying lobbyists to obscure their religious persecution records.

At the center of the controversy is Nigeria's $9 million lobbying contract with Washington firm DCI Group, signed after President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a CPC in October 2025. The six month deal pays $750,000 per month and was arranged through Aster Legal to help Nigeria spin its narrative around the treatment of Christian communities.

USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler did not mince words. She called on Congress to enact legislation that would strip CPC designated governments of their ability to hire paid lobbyists or public relations firms to whitewash their records of severe religious persecution.

Congress should prohibit compensation for lobbying on behalf of CPC designated foreign governments.

USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler

Nigeria is not alone. Saudi Arabia and India were also named by USCIRF for using public relations firms to conceal violence against religious minorities. Saudi Arabia has used PR firms to obscure its systematic persecution and execution of Shi'a Muslims, including minors. India hired a public relations firm in January while concealing violent mob attacks and the destruction of religious sites targeting Christians and Muslims.

During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing titled "Defending Religious Freedom Around the World," Rep. Chris Smith (R NJ), who has chaired 13 congressional hearings on the persecution crisis in Nigeria, expressed deep concern.

I'm deeply concerned that Nigeria has hired the K Street lobbying firm, DCI, to the tune of $9 million.

Rep. Chris Smith (R NJ)

Smith, alongside Rep. Riley Moore (R WV), introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (H.R. 7457), which would require the Secretary of State to submit a comprehensive report to Congress on U.S. efforts to address religious persecution and mass atrocities against Christians in Nigeria.

A separate Nigerian billionaire also contracted lobbying firm BALCORP at $120,000 per month to influence both Congress and the executive branch.

Congress Delivers Joint Report Calling Nigeria Most Dangerous Place for Christians

On February 26, the House Appropriations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee delivered a joint report on Christian persecution in Nigeria directly to the White House. The report concluded that Nigeria has become "the most dangerous place in the world to practice the Christian faith."

The investigation included expert witness interviews, a formal hearing and roundtable, two bipartisan congressional delegations to Nigeria, and close coordination with the Trump Administration. Between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians have been martyred in Nigeria between 2009 and 2025. More than 19,000 churches have been attacked or destroyed in that same period.

The report recommended a bilateral U.S. Nigeria agreement to protect Christian communities, withholding of U.S. aid until concrete action stops the violence, sanctions on perpetrators of religious violence, continued visa restrictions, and the repeal of sharia codes and anti blasphemy laws.

Chairman Tom Cole (R OK) framed religious freedom as foundational to American values. Chairman Brian Mast (R FL) declared the United States would not ignore the persecution of Christians.

The Crusader's Opinion

Nigeria spent $9 million not to protect Christians, but to pay Washington lobbyists to pretend the problem doesn't exist. Let that sink in. Nine million dollars to hire spin doctors while churches burn and believers are slaughtered in their own villages. This is not diplomacy. This is blood money dressed up in a suit and tie. If Nigeria spent a fraction of that on actually protecting its Christian citizens, maybe we wouldn't be talking about 125,000 martyrs. But they didn't. They chose propaganda over protection. And the fact that this is even legal should outrage every believer on the planet. Thank God for leaders like Chris Smith who refuse to look the other way. The Church must speak with one voice: no amount of lobbying can silence the cries of the persecuted.

Take Action

• Contact your U.S. Representative and urge them to co sponsor the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (H.R. 7457). Find your representative at house.gov.
• Support persecuted Christians in Nigeria through The Shepherd's Shield (www.TheShepherdsShield.org), which provides direct aid to persecuted believers.
• Donate to Open Doors USA, which has been serving persecuted Christians in Nigeria for decades and ranks Nigeria as one of the most dangerous countries for Christians worldwide.
• Give to International Christian Concern (ICC), which documents persecution in Nigeria and advocates for policy change in Washington.
• Pray daily for Nigerian Christians. Share this article on social media and in your church community. The greatest weapon against silence is awareness.
• Write to USCIRF at communications@uscirf.gov and thank them for standing up against lobbying by persecutor nations. Encourage them to keep the pressure on Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and India.