In a strategic move that underscores growing efforts by private sector leaders to influence international relations, Matthew Tonlagha, CEO of Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, has signed a $720,000 lobbying contract with a Washington, D.C.-based firm aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United States.
The Contract and Key Details
According to filings submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the agreement between Maton Engineering and Valcour Global Public Strategy was signed on December 16, 2025 and formally filed on January 9, 2026.
The six-month contract runs from December 15, 2025, to June 14, 2026, with provisions that allow for termination after the first 90 days with 30 days’ written notice.
Valcour will be paid $120,000 per month, billed quarterly in advance, bringing the total contract value to $720,000.
As of December 30, 2025, Maton Engineering had already paid at least $360,000 to the firm, according to FARA disclosures.
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Scope of the Engagement
Under the agreement, Valcour — a strategic communications and government affairs firm — will engage with U.S. media, members of Congress, and officials in the Executive Branch to shape public discourse and policy perspectives that bolster economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries. The work is described as strategic communications and government affairs consulting, focusing on “perception management” and outreach rather than direct political activity, as defined under FARA.
Subcontracting and Early Payments
The lobbying effort also involved subcontractors prior to the formal registration of the contract:
- On December 31, 2025, Maton Engineering paid $105,000 to Bridgeway Advocacy LLC as a retainer for subcontracted services.
On January 5, 2026, $60,000 was paid to Mount Olives LLC for additional subcontractor services.
Who Is Matthew Tonlagha?
Matthew Tonlagha is the CEO and Chairman of Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, an engineering and project support firm involved in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. He also serves as Vice Chairman of Tantita Security Services, which has been awarded contracts for oil pipeline surveillance in the Niger Delta region.
Maton Engineering is a privately owned company, and the FARA filings explicitly state that it is not directed, controlled, or subsidised by the Nigerian government or any political party.
Context: A Broader Lobbying Trend
Tonlagha’s engagement of Valcour comes amid a wider push by Nigerian individuals and entities to influence perceptions and policy in Washington.
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Just 24 hours after Tonlagha’s contract was signed, reports emerged that the Federal Government engaged a U.S. firm in a separate deal valued at approximately $9 million to communicate its efforts on protecting Christian communities and maintaining U.S.–Nigeria cooperation to American policymakers.
Why This Matters
The move highlights the increasing role of private sector diplomacy and targeted lobbying in advancing Nigeria’s interests on the global stage particularly in securing stronger economic ties, investment flows, and security cooperation with the United States.
As global geopolitics and bilateral relations evolve, such private initiatives are becoming a complement to traditional government diplomacy
Image Credit: Nairametrics
Source: Nairametrics
