How Alleged Fake ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ Office Built National Structure, Listed 20 State Coordinators, Foreign Reps

The alleged fake National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office operated with an elaborate structure spanning 20 states and two foreign countries, according to findings by PUNCH Online.

The office’s website reportedly presented Hon. Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator” and listed a director of national administration, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives in the United States and China.

The development came to light after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, whom the commission identified as the promoter of the alleged fake office.

The President also ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — following the discovery of the office.

According to the ICPC, the office had been allocated space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) without presidential authorisation.

The anti-corruption agency said the promoter operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.

Alleged Leadership Structure

The website listed Nwabueze as the “Executive Director, National Coordinator.”

It also named Dr Bassey B. Unaowo as “Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs, OSGF”; Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni as Director of National Administration; Mr Oladunjoye Musiliua as Zonal Director for the South-West; Hafsat Sahabi Dange as Zonal Director for the North; and Mrs Ugochi Akudo Nwosu as Zonal Director for the South-East.

The website further claimed that the project operated under the OSGF and described its framework as being overseen by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, in the OSGF.

However, the claim of official government backing is now under scrutiny following the ICPC’s assertion that the office operated without presidential authorisation.

20 State Coordinators Listed

The alleged project also maintained a network of state coordinators across 20 states.

Those listed on the website were:

– Katsina: Dr Babangida Kabir Ruma

– Kaduna: Hon. Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim

– Delta: Hon. Dr Godwin Adolor

– Kebbi: Hussaini Abdullahi, Esq., FSI

– Osun: Hon. Olugbemi Adetola Adelowokan

– Anambra: Hon. Chiamaka Nnake

– Nasarawa: Hon. Osolafia Muhammed, PhD

– Plateau: Mrs Salome Audu Bidda

– Benue: Hon. Orduen Andrew Ikon

– Ondo: Amb. Orioye G. Benedict

– Ogun: Hon. Engr. Kehinde Akintonide, FNSE

– Sokoto: Hon. Ibrahim Umar Aliyu

– Abia: Hon. Mrs Nwosu Chinyere R.

– Zamfara: Hon. Ibrahim Bello Marafa

– Niger: Haj. Zainab Mohammed

– Kano: Hon. Abubakar Ahmad Bichi (Khalifa)

– Taraba: Hon. Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu

– Oyo: Alhaji Bello Kolawole Ghaffar, FCA

– Bauchi: Hon. Farouq Siyi

– Kogi: Hon. Olorukooba Bidemi

PUNCH Online also reported finding indications that some of the individuals listed had previously held public positions or maintained links with established political, governmental or community structures in their respective states.

The reported structure, including the claimed zonal leadership and foreign representatives, suggests that the alleged office had sought to project the image of a fully established government-backed national initiative.

The ICPC investigation and the President’s directives have, however, raised questions over how the organisation secured access to government premises and operated under an alleged government identity without presidential approval.