A United States lawmaker has revisited concerns over religious freedom in Nigeria during a congressional hearing on Wednesday, describing the country as “a killing field of defenceless Christians” and criticising recent multimillion-dollar lobbying contracts aimed at influencing the US government.
Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, cited Genocide Watch in characterising Nigeria’s security situation as severe and accused Nigerian officials of maintaining a persistent “culture of denial.”
“That wrong in our foreign policy has been righted with the President’s CPC designation. We commend and thank him for that action,” Smith said, referring to Nigeria’s continued designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
While acknowledging “small steps” taken by Nigeria to improve religious freedom, Smith condemned the country’s recent lobbying efforts in Washington.
In December 2025, Nigeria engaged DCI Group, a K-Street lobbying firm, in a $9 million contract ($750,000 per month) to communicate its efforts to protect Christians to the US government.
The same month, Matthew Tonlagha, Vice-Chairman of Tantita Security Services, hired Valcour Global Public Strategy for $120,000 per month to “strengthen the bilateral relationship” between the US and Nigeria.
Smith said the deals demonstrated ongoing denial by Nigerian officials:
“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.”
“They hire these firms; they come up with their very well-written talking points to say nothing to see here, and unfortunately, how these firms are just so good at advocating for their client for religious freedom.”
Representative Joaquin Castro questioned the effectiveness of US military strikes in Nigeria last year, accusing the Trump administration of using the “protecting Christians” narrative while cutting assistance that could address discrimination against religious communities.
Lawmakers also debated the impact of Nigeria’s CPC redesignation, with some describing it as largely symbolic “name and shame” without direct consequences, while others argued it helped refocus international attention on the country.
The hearing highlighted ongoing US concerns about religious persecution and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly amid recent mass killings and abductions across several states. Nigerian authorities have consistently rejected claims of targeted genocide against Christians, asserting that violence affects all religious and ethnic groups and stems from complex criminal and banditry issues rather than purely religious motives.
