BREAKING: Trump Appoints Atiku’s Lobbyist as Commissioner on White House Presidential Commission

President Donald Trump has appointed Dr. Karl Von Batten, managing partner of the Washington-based Republican policy and lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., to serve as a commissioner on a White House presidential commission.

The appointment was announced by Von Batten-Montague-York in a statement published on its verified X account.

The firm described the appointment as a major honour for Von Batten and said he was grateful to President Trump for the confidence placed in him.

“Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. is proud to announce that President Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) has appointed our Managing Partner, Dr. Karl Von Batten, to serve the United States of America as a Commissioner on a @WhiteHouse presidential commission,” the statement read.

“Dr. Von Batten is deeply grateful to President Trump (The Chief) for this appointment and for the confidence placed in him. This presidential appointment represents a tremendous honor and reflects Dr. Von Batten’s longstanding commitment to public service, leadership, and our nation.

“Dr. Von Batten looks forward to answering the call to serve our President and country.”

The appointment comes months after former Nigerian Vice-President Atiku Abubakar engaged Von Batten-Montague-York to undertake lobbying and advocacy work on his behalf in the United States.

NWN had previously reported that Atiku engaged the Washington-based firm to improve his “reputational standing” in the United States and strengthen his engagement with American policymakers.

Documents filed with the United States Department of Justice showed that the agreement was signed on March 9 and 10, 2026, by Von Batten, the firm’s managing partner, and Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji.

According to the filings, the engagement was designed to shape perceptions of Atiku among US policy circles and counter narratives associated with the Nigerian government.

One of the stated objectives of the agreement was for the lobbying firm to “counterbalance” what it described as the Nigerian government’s “lobbying narratives” in the United States.

The firm was also contracted to “advance understanding” of Atiku’s “leadership posture and policy vision” among US policymakers.

Under the arrangement, Von Batten-Montague-York was expected to facilitate meetings between Atiku and US government officials, including members of Congress, while providing advisory services on policy positioning and engagement strategy.

Von Batten’s new role on a White House presidential commission places him in a position of public service within the Trump administration, following his firm’s recent involvement in lobbying activities connected to Nigerian political affairs.