By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government of Nigeria has entered into a $9 million contract with a Washington-based lobbying firm, DCI Group, to influence the U.S. government’s perception of Nigeria’s efforts to protect its Christian communities.

The agreement, signed since last year is facilitated by the Kaduna-based law firm Aster Legal on behalf of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, first reported by TheCable, outline the contract’s scope and financial terms.

Under the deal, DCI Group is tasked with assisting the Nigerian government in “communicating its actions to protect Nigerian Christian communities and maintaining U.S. support in countering West African jihadist groups and other destabilizing elements.”

The contract stipulates a monthly fee of $750,000, totaling $9 million over a 12-month period. It commenced with an initial six-month term ending June 30, 2026, and includes a clause for automatic renewal for another six months. Records show Nigeria made an upfront payment of $4.5 million on December 12, 2025, covering the first half of the contract. A second installment is due upon completion of the initial term.

The agreement allows either party to terminate “for any reason without penalty” by providing 60 days’ written notice.

This lobbying initiative follows heightened diplomatic tensions between Abuja and Washington over allegations of religious persecution.

In October 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing violence against Christians. Nigerian officials have consistently refuted these claims, attributing the nation’s violence to terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts rather than religious targeting.

Pressure escalated in November when Trump suggested the U.S. might intervene more directly, warning of potential military action to protect Christians. The situation intensified on Christmas Day, when the U.S. military conducted airstrikes against terrorist targets in Sokoto State’s Bauni Forest a move signaling deeper U.S. involvement in Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.

In response to the U.S. designation, the Nigerian government had previously committed to engaging Washington “through diplomatic and legal channels” to address what it describes as misconceptions regarding the safety of Christian communities.

Yakubu Mohammed, a co-founder of Newswatch magazine and its former deputy chief executive officer, has died at the age of 75.

He was reported to have been battling an undisclosed ailment before his death. As of press time, an official statement from his family was still awaited.

His death comes barely two months after the passing of his long-time colleague and fellow Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese, who died after a prolonged illness on November 17, 2025.

Vanguard

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the promotion of more than 2,000 employees of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The promotions follow a series of examinations conducted between Tuesday, November 25, and Saturday, November 29, 2025.

Announcing the development on Wednesday, the Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, Emeka Ezeh, stated that the promoted staff span 165 different cadres. He described the move as a clear demonstration of the Minister’s commitment to staff welfare and career advancement.

Ezeh assured that promotion exercises would henceforth be conducted regularly and as scheduled. He encouraged civil servants to begin preparing early for the upcoming 2025 and 2026 promotion cycles, emphasizing that “only diligent and hardworking staff will be promoted.”

The Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to using the Computer-Based Test (CBT) method for all promotion examinations. He noted that this approach would strengthen the newly introduced digital examination platform, which was approved by the FCT Minister.