The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has defended the Federal Government’s approval of a $9 million lobbying contract in the United States, pushing back against sharp criticism from opposition parties who argue the move is ill-timed amid Nigeria’s security and economic challenges.

The defence follows mounting controversy over the decision to engage a US lobbying firm to communicate Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christians to American government officials. The issue has quickly become a flashpoint in the broader debate over foreign perception, domestic insecurity, and how the administration of President Bola Tinubu prioritises public spending.

In a statement issued on Friday, January 17, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC described the use of professional lobbyists as a normal and widely accepted feature of modern governance, both in advanced economies and emerging democracies.

Details of the Lobbying Agreement

According to reports, the contract was executed through a Kaduna based law firm, Aster Legal, which retained US lobbying firm DCI Group on behalf of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The agreement was signed on December 17, 2025.

Documents associated with the arrangement show that the deal was endorsed by Aster Legal’s Managing Partner, Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, and DCI Group’s representative, Justin Peterson. The purpose of the engagement, according to information made public, is to brief and engage US policymakers on Nigeria’s actions aimed at protecting Christian communities and addressing security concerns.

The Federal Government has not disputed the figures involved, with the total contract value put at $9 million.

Opposition Condemns Timing and Priorities

The disclosure triggered immediate backlash from opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, and the Labour Party. Critics accused the Tinubu administration of focusing on image management abroad while Nigerians continue to grapple with insecurity, rising living costs, and economic uncertainty at home.

Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesperson for the ADC, described the expenditure as misplaced, arguing that international lobbying could not compensate for what he called failures in protecting lives and property. According to Abdullahi, no amount of public relations effort overseas would change the lived realities of citizens facing violence and hardship.

Opposition figures also questioned the optics of spending millions of dollars on foreign consultants at a time when the government has repeatedly called for sacrifices from Nigerians.

APC Pushes Back on Criticism

In its response, the Lagos APC rejected the opposition’s claims, describing them as either a misunderstanding of international diplomacy or deliberate attempts to mislead the public. According to the party, lobbying and public affairs engagements are standard tools used by governments worldwide to pursue national interests.

The APC stated that countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa routinely employ lobbying firms to influence policy, attract investment, secure development assistance, and strengthen diplomatic and security partnerships.

“Lobbying is a universal, lawful and widely deployed instrument of statecraft,” the statement said, adding that such engagements are not unique to Nigeria nor evidence of wrongdoing.

The party further argued that the initiative would help counter what it described as persistent negative portrayals of Nigeria abroad, particularly around religious freedom and security.

The Broader Context of Foreign Perception

Nigeria’s international image has increasingly come under scrutiny in recent years, especially in foreign policy and human rights discussions in Western capitals. Reports by international advocacy groups and foreign lawmakers have frequently highlighted concerns around religious violence, insurgency, and communal clashes.

Analysts say this context helps explain why the government may see strategic communication as necessary, particularly in the United States, where congressional opinions can influence aid, security cooperation, and diplomatic engagement.

According to foreign policy analyst Chinedu Okafor, governments often underestimate how much external narratives shape policy outcomes.

“In Washington, perception matters,” Okafor said. “If a country does not actively engage policymakers, others will define the narrative for them. Whether Nigerians agree with the spending or not, that is the strategic logic behind lobbying.”

APC Accuses Opposition of Past Double Standards

The Lagos APC also accused opposition parties of hypocrisy, alleging that previous administrations associated with some of the critics had spent resources internationally in ways that undermined Nigeria’s reputation.

The party claimed that predictions of national collapse made by opposition figures in the past had failed to materialise, while reforms currently underway under the Tinubu administration were beginning to take root.

By proactively engaging international audiences, the APC argued, the government was ensuring that Nigeria’s story is presented from what it called a factual and forward looking perspective.

Why the Debate Matters Now

The controversy touches on deeper questions about governance priorities and accountability. At a time when public trust in institutions remains fragile, major expenditures attract intense scrutiny, particularly when they involve foreign firms and opaque processes.

The debate also highlights a growing tension between domestic expectations and international diplomacy. While citizens often judge government performance through daily lived experiences, policymakers must also manage relationships that affect trade, security cooperation, and global standing.

What remains unresolved is whether the lobbying effort will produce tangible benefits that Nigerians can point to in the months ahead.

Attention is now likely to shift to how the lobbying contract is implemented and whether its objectives are clearly defined and measured. Lawmakers and civil society groups may also push for greater transparency around similar international engagements.

Observers will also be watching whether the Federal Government expands its communication to directly address domestic concerns raised by the controversy, rather than relying solely on party responses.

The Lagos APC’s defence of the Federal Government’s $9 million US lobbying contract has sharpened an already heated political debate. While the ruling party frames the move as standard diplomatic practice, opposition parties see it as a misjudged priority in difficult times. How the government balances foreign engagement with domestic accountability may ultimately determine how this controversy is remembered.