United States Senator Ted Cruz has accused Nigerian officials of responding to international concerns over alleged persecution of Christians by launching a public relations campaign instead of addressing the underlying security and religious freedom issues.
Cruz made the remarks in a post published on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday while reacting to recent developments surrounding U.S. congressional action on Nigeria.
”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,” the Republican lawmaker wrote.
”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.”
Cruz also alleged that rather than addressing concerns raised by the United States, Nigerian authorities opted for a communications campaign.
”Instead of responding to American concerns, Nigerian officials waged a public relations campaign against critics,” he wrote.
”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,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has consistently denied accusations that it condones or sponsors religious persecution.
The Federal Government had hired a United States lobbying firm under a $9 million contract to strengthen Nigeria’s engagement with U.S. officials over allegations of attacks on Christian communities.
The Federal Government’s expenditure tracking platform, GovSpend, also showed how the Presidency spent N500 million in 2025 on what was described as an emergency strategic communications campaign.
The payment record stated that the funds were released to the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communications for “emergency Strategic Communications and Global Media Engagement to counter coordinated Western propaganda against FGN on alleged Christian persecution.”
The spending formed part of a broader government effort to respond to growing international criticism over insecurity and allegations of religious persecution.
Documents filed under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) showed that the firm was retained through Aster Legal on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
According to the agreement, DCI Group was contracted to help communicate Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christian communities and maintain U.S. support for countering jihadist groups and other destabilising elements in West Africa.
The contract provides for monthly payments of $750,000, with an initial $4.5 million six-month retainer.
Nigeria has come under increasing international scrutiny over attacks by insurgents, bandits and other armed groups.
Cruz has been among the most vocal members of the U.S. Congress calling for tougher action against Nigerian officials over alleged violations of religious freedom.
