Alleged Fake Government Agency in Nigeria: Structure, Key Figures, and International Reach
The so-called National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office—a purported government initiative—was revealed to have an extensive organizational structure spanning multiple Nigerian states and even extending into foreign territories, including the United States and China.
According to a report by PUNCH Online, the office’s website listed a hierarchy of officials, including a national coordinator, zonal directors, state coordinators, and representatives abroad.
The website identified Hon. Nwabueze George as the Executive Director and National Coordinator, alongside other key personnel such as directors, zonal leaders, and state coordinators.
This revelation follows a disclosure by Musa Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), who announced on Friday that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze—described by the ICPC as the “promoter” of the alleged fake office. Tinubu also directed the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries—M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah—after the ICPC discovered that the office had been allocated space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) without presidential authorization.
Also Read : Tinubu orders arrest, suspends three perm secs as ICPC uncovers new fake agency
Nwabueze’s Role and the Alleged Government Connection
The ICPC further revealed that Nwabueze had operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, and simply George Nwabueze. The website listed him as the Executive Director and National Coordinator of the project, which was purportedly overseen by the OSGF under the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs.
The alleged government connection is particularly significant given the ICPC’s findings that the office operated without the required presidential authorization. The website’s framework page explicitly stated that the project was overseen by the Permanent Secretary in the OSGF, further lending an air of legitimacy to the operation. However, this claim has been firmly disputed by the ICPC, which has emphasized the lack of proper authorization.
The website also listed other key personnel, including:
- Dr. Bassey B. Unaowo as Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs, OSGF;
- Dr. Hajara Njidda Amoni as Director, National Administration;
- Mr. Oladunjoye Musiliua as Zonal Director, South-West;
- Hafsat Sahabi Dange as Zonal Director, North;
- Mrs. Ugochi Akudo Nwosu as Zonal Director, South-East.
State Coordinators Across Nigeria
The website provided a detailed list of 20 state coordinators, each assigned to a specific Nigerian state. The coordinators included individuals with titles such as Honorable, Doctor, Ambassador, and Esquire, suggesting a mix of political, professional, and traditional affiliations. The list is as follows:
| State | State Coordinator |
|---|---|
| Katsina | Dr. Babangida Kabir Ruma |
| Kaduna | Hon. Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim |
| Delta | Hon. Dr. Godwin Adolor |
| Kebbi | Hussaini Abdullahi, Esq., FSI |
| Osun | Hon. Olugbemi Adetola Adelowokan |
| Anambra | Hon. Chiamaka Nnake |
| Nasarawa | Hon. Osolafia Muhammed, PhD |
| Plateau | Mrs. Salome Audu Bidda |
| Benue | Hon. Orduen Andrew Ikon |
| Ondo | Amb. Orioye G. Benedict |
| Ogun | Hon. Engr. Kehinde Akintonide, FNSE |
| Sokoto | Hon. Ibrahim Umar Aliyu |
| Abia | Hon. Mrs. Nwosu Chinyere R. |
| Zamfara | Hon. Ibrahim Bello Marafa |
| Niger | Haj. Zainab Mohammed |
| Kano | Hon. Abubakar Ahmad Bichi (Khalifa) |
| Taraba | Hon. Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu |
| Oyo | Alhaji Bello Kolawole Ghaffar, FCA |
| Bauchi | Hon. Farouq Siyi |
| Kogi | Hon. Olorukooba Bidemi |
Source: Official Website
PUNCH Online noted that some of the individuals listed as state coordinators had previously held public positions or had connections to established political, governmental, or community structures in their respective states. For instance, in Taraba, Tyopuusu has been identified in recent reports as a Special Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy, while also serving as the state coordinator for the Made in Nigeria Special Project.
However, PUNCH Online has stated that it has not independently confirmed the involvement of these individuals in the agency. The inclusion of their names on the website does not, in itself, establish that they were aware of the alleged lack of government authorization for the organization.
Efforts to contact the management of the acclaimed agency have thus far been unsuccessful. As of the time of filing the report, all three phone numbers listed on the website were switched off, and a message sent to the acclaimed national coordinator by our correspondent had not received a reply.
International Representatives in the United States and China
The website also listed representatives in foreign countries, further expanding the alleged scope of the organization. It identified Hon. Emmanuel Enemali Achema as the Country Representative/Coordinator for the U.S.A. and Hon. Ameh Enedugbojo Glory as the Country Representative/Coordinator for China.
Credit: Website
The claimed international structure was presented alongside the state and zonal network, suggesting that the organization purportedly operated on both a nationwide and international scale. The website described the activities of the office as including trade exhibitions, economic forums, the promotion of Nigerian products, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. However, these claims have been disputed by the ICPC.
Broader Context: Investigations into Fictitious Government Bodies
This development is the latest in a series of investigations into purported fictitious government bodies in Nigeria. The ICPC had previously identified other alleged fictitious entities, including the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, as well as two other bodies—the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.
The ICPC’s ongoing efforts to uncover and dismantle such entities underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in government operations. The alleged fake office, with its extensive network of officials and international representatives, highlights the need for rigorous oversight to prevent the misuse of government resources and the exploitation of public trust.
