Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has engaged a Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York L.C., in a $1.2 million deal aimed at enhancing his international profile and countering the Nigerian government’s lobbying efforts in the United States.
Details of the agreement, filed with the United States Department of Justice, show that the contract was signed in March 2026 by the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, and Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji.
According to the filing, a central objective of the engagement is to “counterbalance” the Federal Government’s lobbying narratives in Washington, while advancing understanding of Atiku’s leadership vision among US policymakers.
Under the 12-month agreement, the firm will facilitate high-level meetings between Atiku and key officials in the US government, including members of Congress and executive branch representatives. It will also provide strategic advisory services on policy positioning, messaging, and reputation management.
Part of the contract states that the firm will engage in lobbying and government affairs activities on issues such as democratic governance, regional stability, economic development, and US engagement with Nigeria and West Africa.
The scope of work also includes preparing and distributing policy briefs, memoranda, and other communication materials to inform U.S. stakeholders about Atiku’s positions and priorities.
The development comes amid heightened political positioning ahead of the 2027 elections, with Atiku widely regarded as a leading opposition figure.
However, his adopted platform, the African Democratic Congress, is currently facing a leadership crisis following a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala after reviewing a Court of Appeal judgment.
In a statement shared via social media, the lobbying firm indicated it would engage with U.S. political actors, including Donald Trump and members of Congress, over concerns that INEC’s decision could undermine Nigeria’s main opposition platform.
The firm also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the 2027 elections are credible, transparent, and reflective of the will of the people.
The move mirrors broader lobbying efforts involving Nigerian stakeholders in Washington. In December 2025, the Federal Government reportedly secured a $9 million contract to communicate its position on issues including the protection of Christians in Nigeria.
Similarly, Tantita Security Services’ vice-chairman, Matthew Tonlagha, retained another US-based firm, Valcour Global Public Strategy, to support engagement on Nigeria-US relations.
