The embattled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, has explained why he established the now-defunct agency, insisting his motive was to promote Nigeria’s global image rather than pursue personal gain.
Speaking during a video call with social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, on Wednesday, Matthew said the initiative was driven by his desire to attract foreign investment, enhance Nigeria’s international reputation, and support President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to him, the agency was created to position Nigeria as a preferred destination for foreign investors and facilitate collaboration with government institutions, including ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“I established the agency out of passion for the country. I wanted to attract foreign investors to Nigeria and leave a lasting legacy. I am simply eager to serve my country,” he said.
Matthew also denied any involvement in the reported N400 million budgetary allocation to the agency, claiming he had no knowledge of how it was included in the 2025 national budget.
He alleged that he was in police detention for 23 days while the budget was being prepared and defended before the National Assembly.
“The Presidency said the agency does not exist, yet it appeared in the national budget. I did not prepare or defend any budget. Between October and November, when the budget was processed, I was in detention,” he said.
Matthew further disclosed that former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun questioned him about the agency’s origin, after which he provided the identity of the individual who facilitated his appointment before he was detained.
He added that upon his release on November 19, 2025, he was arraigned in court and informed that the office allocated to the agency had already been reassigned to another government official.
Addressing allegations involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Matthew denied meeting him over any petition but admitted speaking with him by phone through his late associate, Dolapo Tanimola.
Maintaining that he possesses documents supporting the establishment of the agency, Matthew said he is prepared to submit all relevant evidence to security agencies.
“I will report to the police and the DSS with every document in my possession to assist their investigation. My friend, Dolapo Tanimola, who paid the money for the establishment of the agency, later died in a hotel fire in Utako, Abuja,” he said.
