By Muhammad Mamman
United States lawmakers have criticised Nigeria’s reported $9m lobbying contract in Washington, warning that the deal appears aimed at softening international scrutiny over alleged human rights and religious freedom violations.
The concerns were raised during a congressional hearing on global religious freedom, where members of Congress questioned the Federal Government’s decision to engage foreign lobbyists at a time when Nigeria continues to face mounting accusations of abuses, particularly against religious minorities.
Lawmakers said the contract, reportedly signed with a US lobbying firm, risked projecting the image of a government attempting to manage its reputation abroad rather than address deep-rooted challenges at home.
“This looks less like diplomacy and more like damage control,” one legislator said, adding that resources would be better spent protecting vulnerable communities and strengthening accountability mechanisms.
Human rights advocates who testified at the hearing highlighted persistent attacks on civilians, rising insecurity and alleged failures by Nigerian authorities to hold perpetrators accountable. They warned that lobbying efforts could undermine genuine reform and transparency.
Nigeria has repeatedly denied claims of systemic religious persecution, maintaining that violence in parts of the country is driven largely by criminality and insurgency rather than faith-based targeting.
However, US lawmakers urged Abuja to prioritise concrete action over public relations, calling for stronger protections for religious freedoms and a renewed commitment to justice for victims.
The Nigerian government has yet to officially respond to the criticisms raised at the hearing.
