Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
United States Senator Ted Cruz has accused the Nigerian government of responding to international concerns over the alleged persecution of Christians with a public relations campaign rather than tackling the underlying security and religious freedom issues.
Cruz made the remarks in a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday while commenting on recent U.S. congressional discussions concerning Nigeria.
The Republican senator further alleged that Nigerian authorities had fostered conditions that allowed violence against Christians and other religious minorities to persist.
“Nigerian officials have created an environment that facilitates mass violence against Christians and religious minorities by imposing blasphemy and Sharia laws and looking the other way at jihadist atrocities,” Cruz wrote.
He added that he had continued to push legislation aimed at sanctioning Nigerian officials allegedly responsible for such policies.
“The U.S. government knows the Nigerian officials responsible for these policies. I have been pushing my bill to sanction them, and President Trump has even ordered military action,” he stated.
Cruz further alleged that rather than addressing concerns raised by the United States, Nigerian authorities had focused on managing international perception.
“Instead of responding to American concerns, Nigerian officials waged a public relations campaign against critics.
“They were confident in that campaign and in their ability to continue the status quo, and I am heartened that the House has just definitively proven them wrong.”
The Nigerian government has consistently rejected allegations that it condones or sponsors religious persecution, maintaining that security forces are combating terrorism, banditry and other forms of violent criminality without regard to religion or ethnicity.
Recent disclosures indicate that the Federal Government retained a United States lobbying firm under a reported $9 million contract to strengthen engagement with U.S. policymakers amid concerns over alleged attacks on Christian communities.
Documents filed under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) show that the lobbying firm was engaged through Aster Legal on behalf of the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Under the agreement, DCI Group was tasked with communicating Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christian communities while maintaining U.S. support for counter-terrorism operations targeting jihadist groups and other security threats across West Africa.
The contract reportedly provides for monthly payments of $750,000, including an initial six-month retainer worth $4.5 million.
Government expenditure records published on the GovSpend platform also show that the Presidency approved N500 million in 2025 for what it described as an emergency strategic communications and global media engagement campaign.
The funds, paid to the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communications, were designated to counter what the government described as coordinated Western propaganda over allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria.
Nigeria has faced sustained international scrutiny over recurring attacks by insurgents, bandits and other armed groups, particularly in parts of the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions.
