Atiku hires U.S. lobby firm for $1.2m to boost image, counter FG influence

FORMER Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is said to have retained a Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., in a $1.2 million deal aimed at strengthening his reputation in the United States and pushing back against the Nigerian government’s influence, according to The Cable.

The agreement, signed on March 9 and 10, 2026, by the firm’s Managing Partner, Mr Karl Von Batten, and Nigerian politician, Mr Fabiyi Oladimeji, was disclosed in filings submitted to the United States Department of Justice.

According to the filing, part of the firm’s mandate is to counter what it described as the Nigerian government’s lobbying narratives in the U.S., while also improving how policymakers perceive Atiku’s leadership style and policy agenda.

The contract further states that the firm will organise meetings between Atiku and U.S. government officials, including members of Congress, and provide advisory support on policy positioning, reputation management, and engagement strategy.

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It added that activities will include lobbying efforts targeting Congress, its staff, and executive branch officials on issues such as democratic governance, regional stability, economic development, and U.S. relations with Nigeria and West Africa.

The firm is also expected to advocate policy positions aligned with Atiku’s views, while undertaking public relations efforts designed to shape perceptions among U.S. stakeholders. This includes crafting messaging strategies, developing policy materials, and distributing briefing documents to relevant audiences.

Under the agreement, Atiku will pay the firm $1.2 million over 12 months, structured in six instalments.

Political context and ADC crisis

Atiku remains one of the prominent figures eyeing the 2027 presidential race, despite previous unsuccessful bids. He is aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which is currently grappling with an internal leadership dispute that could affect its readiness for the elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently said it would no longer recognise factions of the party led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala, citing its interpretation of a court of appeal ruling.

Following the development, the lobbying firm said it plans to engage U.S. President Donald Trump and Congress over concerns that INEC’s decision could weaken Nigeria’s main opposition platform.

The firm also urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that upcoming elections are credible, transparent, and reflective of the electorate’s will.

Other recent lobbying deals

The development comes amid a surge in lobbying engagements involving Nigerian actors. In December 2025, the federal government reportedly signed a $9 million contract with a U.S. firm to communicate its efforts on protecting Christians in Nigeria.

The nation hired a United States lobbying and public affairs firm to communicate its security efforts and response to violence affecting Christians to policymakers in Washington.

READ ALSO: Atiku alleges external interference in ADC crisis, says factional chairman enjoys ‘governor-like’ privileges

It was gathered from documents filed with the US Department of Justice that DCI Group, a Washington-based lobbying firm, was contracted to engage US officials on Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations and its handling of allegations of religiously motivated violence.

The agreement was executed on December 17, 2025, through Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm acting on behalf of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Nuhu Ribadu.

The terms of agreement say that DCI Group will outline Nigeria’s measures to protect Christian communities and to help sustain US support for the country’s campaign against jihadist groups operating across West Africa. The contract runs for an initial six-month period ending June 30, 2026, and contains an automatic extension clause unless either party terminates the agreement with 60 days’ notice.

Nigeria paid $4.5 million as an advance retainer, with the full value of the contract estimated at $9 million. The agreement provides for a monthly fee of $750,000 to cover professional services and related expenses.

Around the same period, Matthew Tonlagha, vice-chairman of Tantita Security Services, engaged another Washington-based firm, Valcour Global Public Strategy, to support U.S.-Nigeria relations.

Under President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) and hias vice Atiku, Nigeria hired a top US lobyist and consultancy firm, Goodworks International, to lobby the US in its favour.