NSA, DCI and Nigeria’s Image: A Critical Assessment of the Alleged $9 Million Lobbying Contract

NSA, DCI and Nigeria’s Image: A Critical Assessment of the Alleged $9 Million Lobbying Contract

By: Dr James Bwala

I read Dr Aboubakar Sani’s commentary regarding the alleged signing of a US$9 million (approximately ₦12.6 billion) contract by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. This contract signing was said to have been carried out through a legal firm, Aster Legal, for a lobbying company abroad named DCI. Although it was said that the objective of the contract signing is to improve Nigeria’s international image, many Nigerians see this as another waste of resources. This purported initiative has sparked intense criticism of the NSA and generated heated debate on many social media platforms and public discussions around the security situations. Most of these arguments were primarily centred on the question of whether investing heavily in international image management is appropriate, particularly at this time, or effective when juxtaposed against the persistent and deep-seated security challenges that Nigeria is facing at the moment. 

It is worrisome that the Nigerian government should be concentrating unequivocally on tackling the country’s deep-seated security problems and strengthening its security institutions instead of wasting huge public resources on lobbying contracts abroad to “whitewash” Nigeria’s image. Yet, a rigors scrutiny of the study of core themes like the root causes of Nigeria’s reputation challenges, accountability issues linked to the NSA and the broader political fallout for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reveals the fallacies and dangers of placing primacy on image management over substantive governance reforms.

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The strongest and primary argument against the so-called contract is the undeniable fact that Nigeria’s real and urgent problem is its failing security situation. The country is still bedevilled by widespread violence, including unending killings, kidnappings, banditry, ethno-religious conflicts and terrorist attacks, among others, which cumulatively erode public safety and destabilise communities across several regions. This widespread insecurity directly impacts the global perception of Nigeria. This is not just about negative press or bad branding; Nigeria’s reputation is inextricably linked to its inability to guarantee the safety and security of its citizens. This thinking of millions of Nigerians who have seen these insecurity problems firsthand is echoed by countless analysts and citizens alike who suggest that any attempt to rehabilitate Nigeria’s global standing without actual improvements in security will be superficial and ultimately ineffective. Indeed, a country’s image in the international arena is a reflection of its internal realities. Consequently, substantive progress in the fight against insecurity would naturally boost Nigeria’s profile on the world stage far more than the expensive public relations campaigns or lobbying efforts the NSA is undertaking.

However, the focus on resource-intensive international image management projects could entrench the cycle of misplaced priorities within the national administration. No amount of public relations can make up for systemic failure of governance, especially in areas as critical as national security. The government’s decision to spend billions of naira on an external lobbying firm is a signal that it prefers a “cash and carry” solution, aimed at trying to polish up Nigeria’s image externally, while the “ailing security stand” internally is neglected. This is not only politically tone-deaf but also morally questionable, considering the human cost of insecurity, borne by millions of Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods are under constant threat.

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At the centre of the controversy is the role and the accountability of the national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Now, many Nigerians are beginning to question his handling of the country’s security portfolio, especially in the wake of this alleged contract. There has been a growing demand from the public for greater transparency and scrutiny of how public funds are spent and whether such expenditures align with national security priorities. The lack of response or insufficient response to these concerns breeds suspicion about the administration’s real commitment to improving security. The contract negotiated through Aster Legal brings up important issues concerning fairness, the choice of consultants, and what the contract entails. The lack of official verification and the secrecy surrounding the contract’s nature and objective only deepen its ambiguity, leading to suspicions from both the public and political observers.

Political implications of the controversy go far beyond discussions related to budgets and governance of the relevant agencies. It seems that the operations conducted by the NSA, along with the entire governance process in the area of security in Nigeria, have become the subject for speculations concerning the political success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the coming years. It is widely known that security-related issues have always played a decisive role in the political dynamics in Nigeria, shaping the attitude of the citizens towards those who govern. If the administration fails to deal with legitimate concerns of the population related to this matter, its political prospects may be severely damaged.

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One of the salient aspects of the discussions on this claimed agreement is the highly emotional and negative language used throughout. Calling out the “whitewashing of the image of Nigeria”, the “cash and carry judiciary”, and the “ailing security stand” clearly shows how deeply disappointed and distrustful observers are of the intentions and capabilities of the government’s initiatives. Although the effect of such language may be seen as a way to arouse public sentiment about issues at hand, there is the possibility that this type of discussion will only widen the gap in understanding complex government policy decisions.

But there is also an analysis of this story that brings out some of its deficiencies, especially those relating to evidence and logic. Many arguments made are made based on statements made by unnamed Nigerians, observers of the debate on the issue through social media networks, and other “others”. Some of the fundamental issues which the story does not address include the following: who is actually opposing the contract? Is there any evidence at all of negotiations or implementation of the contract? What is the profile and mandate of DCI? And has the government recognised the contract and its goals?

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In fact, the argument creates a false choice by making it seem like the government has to pick between spending on security upgrades and work on its public image, as if they can’t both happen at the same time. In real life, governments usually use a variety of approaches that involve changing their security systems and also working on relationships and image building with other countries. Even though the size and timing of these efforts need to be carefully looked at, throwing out one method completely misses the complicated nature of how modern governments operate. Depending too much on what the majority thinks without any real evidence can make an argument seem strong, but it doesn’t actually prove that something is wrong or that a bad decision was made.

Some political predictions, like guesses about President Tinubu’s election chances or how different regions might react, are not very reliable. This makes the analysis less strong and not as helpful. Political predictions can be uncertain and sometimes help start conversations, but guesses without solid evidence should be clearly separated from real analysis to keep trust intact.

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The reported $9 million lobbying deal, supposedly signed by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, has sparked a major discussion about what the government should focus on, especially during a serious national security situation. The most powerful and convincing part of the criticism is the main idea that dealing with Nigeria’s serious security problems is the key way to improve its standing in the world. Real, long-term improvements in the country’s security systems and how it’s run would naturally make Nigeria look better and increase its standing in the world, much more than spending a lot of money on trying to look good to others.

But the debate over the contract stresses transparency, accountability and evidence-based policy evaluation. Why? “… Despite the political significance of public dissatisfaction and its justifiable level of understanding, it must be accompanied by clear documentation and official clarity regarding government contracts, objectives, and expenditure decisions. Policymakers must consider multiple aspects of their approaches to ensure that legitimate security needs are prioritised while also acknowledging the importance of international diplomacy and image cultivation, as long as these efforts are strategically aligned and financially savvy.

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In the end, Nigerian officials must demonstrate that they prioritise the security and welfare of their citizens over superficial image concerns. Nigeria’s ability to regain confidence domestically and improve its standing and influence on the international stage requires a firm determination to address security issues on ground and not on paper.

* James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja.

NSA, DCI and Nigeria’s Image: A Critical Assessment of the Alleged $9 Million Lobbying Contract