The Alleged Fake Agency and Its Complex Structure
The National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, an entity that has been operating under the guise of a legitimate federal agency, has come under scrutiny for its questionable legitimacy. This office, which claimed to be authorized by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2017 during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, was later found to be a fraudulent organization by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). It was discovered to be based within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), raising serious concerns about its operations.
The ICPC’s investigation into this alleged fake agency began as part of a broader probe into other suspicious entities, such as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). According to Dr. Musa Aliyu, Chairman of the ICPC, the commission uncovered the existence of the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office after briefing the president on ongoing investigations into the PFIPC and other weaknesses in the public service.
The Promoter and His Multiple Identities
The promoter of this alleged fake agency is identified as George Nwabueze, who operated under several aliases. These included George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, and George Nwabueze. A profile on the agency’s website, madeinnigeriang.org, listed Nwabueze as the ‘Executive Director, National Coordinator,’ aligning with the name at the center of the ICPC’s investigation.
The website itself had several design and grammatical issues, but it outlined a vision of transforming Nigeria from a resource-dependent nation into a manufacturing hub. It also detailed a seven-point mandate, including economic promotion, revival of factories, support for local brands, and the promotion of Made-in-Nigeria products through trade fairs and exhibitions.
To give itself a legislative appearance, the website cited a purported “Bill for an Act to Establish the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Promotion Commission and for Related Matters,” described as the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Promotion Commission Act, 2025. It even claimed that the FEC had approved a “National Campaign to Sensitize Nigerians on the Patronage of Made-in-Nigeria Products” in 2017, with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment listed as the implementing ministry.
Leadership Structure and Geographic Representation
Beyond these claims, the alleged fake agency had constructed a shadow leadership structure designed to reflect the diversity of the federation. At the national level, the leadership included Dr. Bassey B. Unaowo, presented as a Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs in the OSGF, and Dr. Hajara Njidda Amoni, listed as Director, National Administration, alongside Nwabueze.
Below them, three Zonal Directors were appointed to cover different regions of the country: Mr. Oladunjoye Musiliua for the South-West, Barr. Hafsat Sahabi Dange for the North, and Mrs. Ugochi Akudo Nwosu for the South-East. This pattern of ethnic and regional balancing continued at the state level, with coordinators drawn from various parts of the country.
From the North-West, for example, Dr. Babangida Kabir Ruma represented Katsina State, while Hon. Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim covered Kaduna State. Similarly, other states had their own coordinators, ensuring a broad geographic spread. Each state coordinator bore the title “State Coordinator, National Brand Development and Made in Nigeria Project Office,” and each profile carried an official-looking insignia.
Social Media Presence and Legal Implications
To further bolster its image as a legitimate federal agency, the promoters of the fake office maintained social media handles under the tag “@pmainpro” across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), and LinkedIn. However, according to the ICPC, the entire office existed without presidential authorization and violated existing laws.
The ICPC’s findings are part of a larger investigation that previously exposed the PFIPC, whose director-general, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, is already facing prosecution for forgery and impersonation. In response to the briefing, President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate arrest of Nwabueze and the suspension of three permanent secretaries, including M.S. Danjuma, Engr. Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah, pending further investigations.
Dr. Musa Aliyu emphasized that the ICPC would continue to work with officials from the OSGF to determine how the fake office secured its space within the Secretariat and to uncover the roles played by the suspended officials and others connected to the network of coordinators.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Steps
The ICPC has provided the president with a comprehensive briefing on these developments and will continue its investigations accordingly. As the probe unfolds, more details about the extent of the fraud and the involvement of key figures in the government are expected to emerge. The case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the operations of government agencies and underscores the importance of vigilance against fraudulent activities within the public sector.
