United States Senator Ted Cruz has said Nigerian officials have responded to international concerns over the alleged persecution of Christians with a public relations campaign, instead of tackling the root causes of security and religious freedom issues.
The comments came in a post published yesterday on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, reacting to recent developments on U.S. congressional action on Nigeria.
“Nigerian officials have created an environment that enables mass violence against Christians and religious minorities by implementing blasphemy and Sharia laws and ignoring jihadist atrocities,” the Republican legislator wrote.
“The U.S. government knows who the Nigerian officials are behind these policies. “I have been pushing my bill to sanction them and even President Trump has authorised military action.”
Instead of addressing the issues raised by the United States, the Nigerian authorities chose a communications campaign, Cruz said, Daily Trust reports.
“Rather than dealing with American concerns, Nigerian officials mounted a public-relations campaign against critics,” he wrote.
“They felt good about that campaign and their ability to keep the status quo and I am heartened that the House has just definitively proved them wrong,” he said.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected charges it condones or encourages religious persecution.
It was recently reported that the federal government engaged a United States lobbying group for $9 million to boost Nigeria’s involvement with U.S. officials on alleged attacks on Christian communities.
GovSpend, the federal government’s expenditure tracking platform, also revealed how the Presidency spent N500 million in 2025 on what was described as an emergency strategic communications campaign.
The payment record showed that the money was paid 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 was part of a wider government drive to respond to increasing international criticism of insecurity and allegations of religious persecution.
Documents filed under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) revealed the firm was retained through Aster Legal on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Under the deal, DCI Group was hired to help explain Nigeria’s efforts to defend Christian communities and retain U.S. backing for efforts to resist jihadist groups and other destabilising factors in West Africa.
The deal calls for $750,000 a month in installments, with an upfront $4.5 million retainer for six months.
Nigeria has faced growing international criticism over attacks by insurgents, bandits and other armed groups.
“Cruz has been one of the most vocal members of the U.S. congress in demanding stronger action against Nigerian officials for alleged violations of religious freedom.
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