US Lawmaker Moves to Stop Nigerian Govt From Hiring Lobbyists

A United States Congressman, Barry Moore, has introduced a bill seeking to prevent the Nigerian government from paying lobbying firms to represent its interests in the United States for as long as Nigeria remains designated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious freedom violations.

The proposed legislation, identified as H.R. 10939, is aimed at stopping individuals and organisations in the United States from receiving payment to lobby on behalf of the Nigerian government while the designation remains in place.

Moore, a Republican representing Alabama’s First Congressional District, introduced the bill on October 29, 2026, amid increasing political pressure in Washington over the security situation in Nigeria and allegations of persistent attacks against Christian communities.

The lawmaker argued that the Nigerian government has continued to spend substantial amounts of money engaging lobbying firms in Washington to influence public opinion and defend its record on religious freedom, despite concerns over attacks and killings in different parts of the country.

Speaking about the proposed legislation, Moore said the Nigerian government should not be allowed to use paid lobbyists to influence its image in the United States while the concerns that led to its designation remain unresolved.

“For too long, the Nigerian government has paid high-priced lobbyists in Washington to cover up the persecution of Christians while doing little to stop it. This bill will end that,” Moore said.

He further explained that the legislation would place a restriction on individuals and firms receiving financial compensation for lobbying activities on behalf of the Nigerian government.

“If passed, the bill will make it illegal for any person or firm in the US to receive payment to lobby on behalf of the Nigerian government until the Country of Particular Concern designation is lifted,” Moore said.

The bill is expected to affect the activities of lobbying and public relations organisations working for the Nigerian government in the United States.

It would also place additional pressure on Abuja’s efforts to manage its diplomatic relationship with Washington while the religious freedom designation remains in force.

However, the proposal is still at an early stage of the legislative process.

Available congressional records show that H.R. 10939 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on October 29 for consideration.

It has not been passed by the House of Representatives or the Senate, and it is not yet law.

The introduction of the bill comes against the background of renewed tensions between Nigeria and the United States over allegations of religious persecution and the Nigerian government’s handling of insecurity.

US President, Donald Trump; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern on October 31, 2025.

The decision followed accusations that Christians were facing severe persecution and targeted killings in parts of the country.

The designation brought Nigeria’s security and religious freedom situation under renewed scrutiny in Washington. It also opened the possibility of diplomatic and other measures under American religious freedom legislation.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected claims that it is deliberately targeting Christians or allowing systematic religious persecution.

Abuja has maintained that insecurity affects people of different religious backgrounds and that armed groups, including terrorists and criminal organisations, attack both Christian and Muslim communities.

In January 2026, reports emerged that Nigeria had hired Washington-based lobbying and consulting firm DCI Group to help explain its efforts to protect Christian communities and address what the government considers misleading narratives about religious persecution.

The six-month agreement was valued at $4.5 million, with a possible additional $4.5 million renewal.

The arrangement was disclosed in a filing with the US Department of Justice on December 18, 2025.

The engagement was intended to help the Nigerian government communicate its security efforts, maintain diplomatic support and respond to criticism from American religious organisations and other groups campaigning for stronger action against alleged persecution in Nigeria.

In August 2026, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker hosted the second session of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group in Washington.

The Nigerian delegation was led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

Discussions at the meeting focused on the protection of Christian communities, accountability for perpetrators of violence, strengthening security institutions and military cooperation between both countries.

If H.R. 10939 eventually receives congressional approval and becomes law, lobbying firms operating in the United States could face restrictions on accepting payments from the Nigerian government for the duration of the CPC designation.

However, the proposal must still pass through the required legislative stages before any such restriction can take effect.

This article first appeared on Politics Nigeria: https://politicsnigeria.com/2026/10/31/us-lawmaker-moves-to-stop-nigerian-govt-from-hiring-lobbyists/

The post US Lawmaker Moves to Stop Nigerian Govt From Hiring Lobbyists appeared first on Politics Nigeria.