By George Omagbemi
The controversy surrounding an alleged fictitious federal agency has deepened after the organisation claimed it was created with Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval in 2017, during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The organisation, identified as the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, reportedly operated for years from premises within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and presented itself as a legitimate government establishment.
According to investigations reported on Sunday, August 23, 2026, the organisation claimed that the Buhari-era FEC approved a national campaign promoting patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products in February 2017. It also listed the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as its implementing ministry.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), however, has described the office as an alleged fake agency and said it operated without presidential authorisation and contrary to existing laws.
The commission said its investigation uncovered the organisation while probing the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and weaknesses in government procedures.
Interestingly, the organisation reportedly created an elaborate nationwide structure, including zonal directors and coordinators across the 36 states. Its appointments appeared designed to reflect Nigeria’s Federal Character Principle, giving the impression of a nationally representative government institution.
ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu alleged that the promoter, George Nwabueze, used several variations of his name while operating the organisation. The commission has said investigations are ongoing to establish how the office obtained government accommodation and whether public officials were involved.
Following the ICPC briefing, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly ordered Nwabueze’s arrest and directed the suspension of three Permanent Secretaries pending investigation.
The organisation’s claim of Buhari-era approval remains an allegation by the organisation and has not been established as genuine FEC approval. The ICPC investigation is expected to determine whether such approval existed and how the organisation operated within government premises for years.
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