Fake Agency’s Nine-Year Trail: How Alleged Buhari-Era Approval Became Part of Its Federal Government Claims

The controversy surrounding the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office has taken a new turn, with fresh findings showing that the organisation allegedly presented itself as a legitimate Federal Government outfit for about nine years and claimed it was backed by a 2017 Federal Executive Council approval under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The claim is now at the centre of the growing investigation into the organisation, which the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has described as an alleged fake agency that was illegally allocated office space within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

According to the findings, the organisation claimed that the Federal Executive Council approved a “National Campaign to Sensitize Nigerians on the Patronage of Made-in-Nigeria Products” at a meeting held on February 1, 2017, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

It further listed the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as the implementing ministry, giving the organisation the appearance of being connected to an established Federal Government programme.

The organisation also went beyond claiming an FEC approval. Its website reportedly presented a proposed National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Promotion Commission Act, 2025, giving the impression that the body had a legislative foundation and a formal place within Nigeria’s government structure.

But the ICPC’s investigation has produced a different picture. The commission said the office had no presidential authorisation and identified George Nwabueze as its promoter.

ICPC Chairman Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, said Nwabueze allegedly operated under several names, including George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze and Prince George Buchi Nwabueze.

The organisation had also developed an elaborate structure designed to make it appear like a nationwide government institution. Its website listed Dr Bassey B. Unaowo as Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs in the OSGF, Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni as Director of National Administration and Nwabueze as Executive Director and National Coordinator.

It also listed three zonal directors — Oladunjoye Musiliua for the South-West, Barrister Hafsat Sahabi Dange for the North and Mrs Ugochi Akudo Nwosu for the South-East — alongside state coordinators spread across different parts of the country.

The website reportedly carried the names of coordinators in states including Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger, Benue, Kogi, Bauchi, Delta, Abia, Anambra, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Oyo, among others. It also maintained social media accounts and projected itself as an active national initiative.

The development has raised questions about how an organisation allegedly lacking presidential authorisation was able to operate for years, maintain an elaborate leadership structure and occupy space within the OSGF.

President Bola Tinubu has since ordered the immediate arrest of Nwabueze and the suspension of three Permanent Secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Engr. Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — pending the outcome of investigations.

The ICPC said it is investigating how the alleged fictitious office obtained accommodation within the Secretariat and whether public officials or other individuals assisted its operations.

Importantly, the investigation does not automatically establish that everyone whose name appeared on the organisation’s website was involved in wrongdoing. The ICPC probe is ongoing, and the roles and knowledge of individuals connected to the alleged agency remain subject to investigation.

The latest revelations therefore shift the focus from simply exposing another alleged fake government body to a more troubling question: how did an organisation allegedly without government authorisation manage to build the appearance of a federal institution, claim a Buhari-era FEC approval and operate for years before being uncovered?

About The Author