In early 2026, the diplomatic corridor between Abuja and Washington, D.C., has become one of the most expensive and strategically active in the world. This surge in lobbying activity follows an unprecedented military intervention on December 25, 2025, which has forced both the Nigerian government and indigenous private interests to hire top-tier American “fixers” to manage the narrative.
1. The Christmas Day Airstrikes
On Christmas night 2025, the U.S. military launched a series of Tomahawk missile strikes in Sokoto State, northwest Nigeria.
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The “Christmas Present”: President Donald Trump framed the operation as a “Christmas present” to terrorists, claiming the strikes targeted camps of “ISIS scum” responsible for what he described as a “Christian genocide.”
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The Discrepancy: While AFRICOM stated the operation was coordinated with Nigerian authorities to target the Lakurawa militant group, President Trump’s rhetoric focused heavily on his domestic evangelical base, claiming the strikes were to stop the “mass slaughter of Christians.”
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The Reality: Nigerian officials and independent analysts (including Chatham House) noted that while the strikes were symbolic, the violence in the region is a complex mix of resource disputes and banditry that affects both Muslims and Christians, rather than a singular religious war.
2. The Lobbying Counter-Offensive
To manage the fallout from Trump’s “genocide” rhetoric and ensure continued U.S. military aid without the threat of sanctions, several high-priced contracts have been signed:
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BGR Group ($900,000 Pact): * Client: Maton Engineering Nigeria Ltd (owned by Matthew Tonlagha, Vice Chairman of Tantita Security Services).
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The Team: Led by Scott Eisner (former President of the U.S.-Africa Business Center), the team includes public relations veteran Jeffrey Birnbaum and international trade expert Lester Munson.
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Goal: Strengthening bilateral relations and providing a bridge between the Nigerian oil and gas sector and the Trump administration.
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Valcour Global Public Strategy ($720,000 Pact):
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Client: Maton Engineering.
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Lead: Matt Mowers, a former senior White House advisor during Trump’s first term.
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Focus: Engaging with U.S. media and the Executive Branch to “correct” the narrative regarding Nigeria’s security situation.
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DCI Group ($9 Million Contract):
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Client: The Nigerian Federal Government (via the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu).
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Mission: A massive effort specifically aimed at communicating Nigeria’s actions to protect Christian communities, directly countering the “Christian genocide” narrative that has gained traction in Washington.
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3. Key Player: Maton Engineering & Tantita Security
The involvement of Maton Engineering is significant. The company is a key player in the Niger Delta’s industrial landscape, providing dredging and electrical services to majors like Chevron and Shell. Its parent influence, Tantita Security, is headed by Government “Tompolo” Ekpemupolo, whose firm has been instrumental in reducing Nigeria’s crude oil theft by nearly 80% since 2022.
By funding these lobbying efforts, the Delta’s indigenous industrial leaders are attempting to safeguard the country’s economic lifeline—oil—from the volatility of U.S. foreign policy shifts.
Comparison of 2026 Lobbying Contracts
| Firm | Client | Term | Monthly Fee | Total Value |
| DCI Group | Nigerian Govt (NSA) | Annual | $750,000 | $9,000,000 |
| BGR Group | Maton Engineering | 6 Months | $150,000 | $900,000 |
| Valcour Global | Maton Engineering | 6 Months | $120,000 | $720,000 |
“The Nigerian government has skillfully managed to maintain good relations with Washington despite Trump’s threats… [They] interpreted them as requiring a meeting with the US on what Nigeria needs, rather than a confrontation.” — Chatham House Analysis, 2026.
