TD WASHINGTON/ABUJA — American activist and filmmaker, Mike Arnold, has described himself as “Nigeria’s most wanted”.
Arnold alleged that a Washington lobbying operation working on behalf of the Nigerian government has made him one of its principal targets because of his criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Arnold, founder of Africa Arise, made the claim in a lengthy social-media statement.
Therein, he alleged that the Nigerian government’s Washington communications campaign has repeatedly attacked his credibility and questioned his activities.
His characterization of himself as “Nigeria’s most wanted” sounds satirical, though, as there is no indication in the material reviewed that Arnold is the subject of a Nigerian arrest warrant or criminal charge.
DCI Group’s Nigerian Engagement
The dispute centres on DCI Group, a Washington-based public-affairs and lobbying firm retained through Nigerian law firm Aster Legal.
US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) filings show that DCI Group is working on behalf of the Republic of Nigeria through Aster Legal.
The filings also identify the social-media account @SecureNigeriaHQ as part of the communications operation.
The reported agreement is valued at $750,000 per month, with an initial six-month retainer of $4.5 million and provisions that could bring the total value to approximately $9 million.
The engagement is aimed broadly at communicating Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christian and Muslim communities and maintaining US support for counterterrorism cooperation.
The Secure Nigeria account was established in February 2026.
It identifies itself as being managed by DCI Group AZ on behalf of the Republic of Nigeria through Aster Legal.
Arnold Says He Is the Main Target
Arnold alleges that the account has repeatedly singled him out because of his criticism of the Tinubu administration’s handling of insecurity and attacks against Christian communities.
He cited posts in which the account questioned his activities and funding and accused him of spreading propaganda.
In one recent exchange, Secure Nigeria described Arnold’s output as “nonstop propaganda” and mocked what it called his “unhinged ChatGPT graphics.”
Arnold argues that the attacks demonstrate that the government’s Washington communications operation regards his activities as a significant challenge to its preferred narrative about Nigeria’s security situation.
He said he has spent years documenting the experiences of displaced Nigerians and communities affected by violence.
He has become increasingly outspoken about the government’s response to insecurity.
‘They Fear the Guy with the Receipts’
Arnold has particularly criticised Tinubu’s security record, citing attacks in parts of northern Nigeria and questioning government declarations of military success against insurgent groups.
“Sixteen years in Nigeria and I’ve learned one thing about liars: they don’t fear another politician.
“They fear the guy with the receipts,” Arnold said.
He also claimed that every public attack against him by the lobbying operation generates additional interest from policymakers and congressional offices in Washington.
“Every time Tinubu’s lobbyists come after me, another congressional office wants to know what I know,” he said.
Broader Washington Information Battle
Arnold’s allegations come amid an increasingly intense battle over Nigeria’s image in Washington.
The Nigerian government has faced criticism from US politicians, religious organisations and activists over insecurity and attacks on Christian communities.
Meanwhile, Abuja has consistently rejected narratives portraying Nigeria as unwilling or unable to protect its citizens.
The DCI engagement was established against this backdrop and has sought to communicate the Nigerian government’s security efforts to US policymakers.
FARA materials distributed by DCI describe the government’s counterterrorism efforts and its cooperation with the United States.
The operation has also generated controversy in Nigeria and the United States because of its cost.
Reports based on FARA filings put the potential value of the contract at $9 million.
It makes it one of the more substantial foreign-government lobbying engagements involving an African government in Washington.
Arnold Challenges Tinubu’s Narrative
Arnold says he intends to continue challenging the Nigerian government’s account of the country’s security situation.
He has accused the administration of presenting an overly positive picture of its performance while communities continue to experience killings, kidnappings and displacement.
For now, however, his assertion that he is the “most wanted” individual by the Nigerian government remains his characterization.
A review of publicly available material confirms that the Secure Nigeria account has targeted Arnold directly.
However, the claim that he is targeted more frequently than every other individual would require a comprehensive analysis of the account’s entire output.
The confrontation nevertheless illustrates the increasingly aggressive information battle surrounding Nigeria in Washington.
There, government-funded communications campaigns, activists, lawmakers and advocacy groups are competing to shape US perceptions of the country’s security crisis.
Arnold’s closing message to the Nigerian government was defiant: “Bring it on.”
