The National Coordinator and Executive Director of the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, George Nwabueze, has rejected allegations that he is operating a “fake agency,” insisting that his office is a project office under the supervision of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Nwabueze told PUNCH that the office had existed for 16 years and was established within the OSGF.
His response followed a statement by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on Friday that President Bola Tinubu had ordered his arrest for allegedly establishing, operating and promoting an unauthorised federal agency.
The ICPC said Nwabueze allegedly ran the organisation with the support of senior public servants within the OSGF.
However, Nwabueze dismissed the allegation, saying, “Made in Nigeria Special Project Office is a project office in the OSGF. We don’t know where fake agency comes from. A programme that has been in the SGF’s office since 16 July 2010 was just discovered yesterday. After 16 years; Nigeria is a funny country.”
He spoke while responding to enquiries from our correspondent on LinkedIn, where he had earlier published a copy of his appointment letter in an apparent attempt to counter the ICPC’s claim that the organisation was unauthorised.
The letter, dated October 3, 2025, was purportedly issued by the OSGF and referenced OSGF/MIN/59310/11/205. It was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Nadungu Gagare.
Addressed to “Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, National Coordinator, Made in Nigeria Project Office, OSGF, Three Arms Zone, Abuja,” the letter conveyed approval of his appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office under the OSGF.
It stated that Nwabueze’s appointment was for a five-year tenure beginning in July 2025 and was renewable.
“I am directed to formally convey the approval of your appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” the letter stated.
It said the appointment followed “a careful evaluation of your commitment, contribution, and capacity in delivering on the mandate of the Special Project Office.”
The document listed his responsibilities as including the supervision and development of programmes, projects and policies; coordination of regional and state coordinators across the 36 states; and organisation of exhibitions, trade expos, economic summits and other promotional activities designed to promote indigenous products and services.
It also stated that the project would temporarily operate from Room B53, Ground Floor, within the OSGF complex.
“Please note that this appointment is at the pleasure of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and in line with the objectives of the Made in Nigeria initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the letter added.
However, further efforts by Sunday PUNCH to obtain comments from Nwabueze were unsuccessful as he declined to respond.
Special status request
Another document posted by Nwabueze on LinkedIn on Saturday showed that his office had previously sought recognition as a Special Project.
The document, dated April 17, 2025, was signed by Gagare and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. It was referenced PS-PEAO/2025/008/4.
Titled, “A Proposal for the Made-in-Nigeria Project to be Granted Special Project Status,” the document said the initiative had operated for about five years and promoted Nigerian-made products and services locally and internationally.
It claimed that the project had organised economic forums and trade exhibitions in different parts of the world and contributed to the Nigerian economy, particularly by promoting foreign direct investment.
The proposal identified increased employment, economic growth and poverty reduction as some of the expected benefits of granting the initiative special-project status.
It also said the project could contribute to Gross Domestic Product growth by supporting local industries and encouraging domestic production.
According to the document, promoting locally made products would reduce imports, encourage domestic consumption, conserve foreign exchange and improve Nigeria’s trade balance.
The proposal further stated that the initiative was consistent with the Federal Government’s efforts to diversify the economy, reduce dependence on crude oil and strengthen the non-oil sector.
Gagare subsequently urged the SGF to consider granting the project special status, arguing that this would enhance its credibility and effectiveness and enable it to fulfil its mandate.
However, the proposal also stated that the project’s activities would need to be reviewed and appropriate operational modalities developed.
ICPC’s allegation
The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, had identified the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office as one of the outfits uncovered during the commission’s investigation into the alleged fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
Speaking to State House correspondents in Abuja, Aliyu said investigators discovered the office while probing the alleged PFIPC and examining what he described as procedural weaknesses within the public service.
According to the ICPC chairman, the office had been allocated space within the OSGF complex without presidential authorisation.
He identified Prince George Buchi Nwabueze as the promoter of the outfit and alleged that he operated under different variations of his name while receiving the backing of some senior officials in the OSGF.
The commission subsequently described the organisation as one of the structures uncovered during its investigation into the alleged PFIPC.
