We may soon have fake states, governors, assemblies – Ya’u, Muhammad, others on fictitious agencies 

Concerns Arise Over Alleged Fake Government Agencies in Nigeria

The discovery of a second purportedly fraudulent government agency operating within Nigeria’s federal structure has raised new alarms about oversight and accountability in the country.

The agency in question, the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, was identified by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) as an unauthorized entity allegedly functioning from a government building in Abuja.

ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu reported that the organization was reportedly promoted by George Buchi Nwabueze, who is said to have used multiple variations of his name. Following an investigation briefing by the ICPC, President Bola Tinubu has authorized Nwabueze’s arrest and the suspension of three permanent secretaries in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

This latest instance follows the commission’s probe into the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which was allegedly promoted by Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew. The PFIPC reportedly operated from the Federal Secretariat for approximately two years before the Presidency officially declared it fraudulent.

The emergence of another purportedly illegitimate agency has raised critical questions regarding how such organizations attain operation within official frameworks. Governance experts are expressing concerns that the issue may extend beyond the two cases currently in the public eye.

Dr. Joe Abah, a governance expert and public commentator, indicated that a broader problem may exist. In a post on social media, he noted, “Another day, another ‘fake agency.’ There are all sorts of bodies that have offices in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Federal Secretariat.” He lamented that some organizations need only a credible-sounding name and logo to solicit funds.

Abah recounted an instance during his time in government when he was approached by an organization promising free foreign trips under the guise of a mentorship program. His suspicions grew when the organization’s promoter failed to provide clear details about its establishment and funding.

Professor Murtala Muhammad, Vice-President of the Nigerian Political Science Association, suggested that the issue reflects not merely individual malfeasance but fundamental governance challenges and institutional weaknesses. He stated, “Where rules, verification mechanisms, enforcement, and oversight are weak, private actors can appropriate the authority and legitimacy of the state.”

Muhammad emphasized that the PFIPC case serves as a warning about bureaucratic verification deficiencies. He pointed out serious concerns regarding the reported attempt by the PFIPC to secure a ₦1.3 billion budget allocation, suggesting potential vulnerabilities within the government’s fiscal framework.

He advocated for comprehensive solutions beyond merely arresting those involved. “Stronger verification of government agencies and appointments, improved information sharing, and tighter budgetary controls are necessary,” he said.

Political analysts warn that the controversy could pose risks for the Tinubu administration as it approaches the 2027 elections. Failure to detect such fraudulent operations could lead to perceptions of administrative incompetence, potentially mobilizing opposition parties against the government.

Meanwhile, Nwabueze has rejected characterizations of the Made-in-Nigeria project as a phantom or unauthorized agency, asserting that it is an approved public-private initiative rooted in Executive Orders 003 of 2017 and 005 of 2018. His management stated, “The Made in Nigeria Project has never operated as, nor claimed to be, a statutory civil service agency.”

As investigations continue, the situation highlights broader challenges in governance and institutional accountability within Nigeria’s public sector.

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