Abuja – Documents obtained by investigative journalists have laid bare how an organisation that presented itself as an official Federal Government initiative systematically approached state governors seeking financial contributions, land allocations, nomination of state coordinators, and participation in domestic and international programmes.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has identified the body as the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office (also styled the Made in Nigeria Project Office).
ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu informed State House correspondents after briefing President Bola Tinubu that the organisation operated without presidential authorisation and had been allocated office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
President Tinubu directed the immediate arrest of the organisation’s promoter, George Buchi Nwabueze (who also operates under variations including Nwabueze George, George Nathan Nwabueze, Honourable George Buchi Nwabueze and Prince George Buchi Nwabueze).
The President also ordered the suspension of three permanent secretaries—M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah—suspected of enabling the unauthorised operation.
Letters bearing the heading “The Presidency – National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office” and carrying presidency insignia were sent to governors. The correspondence identified the office as operating under the OSGF at Shagari House, Three Arms Zone, Abuja. All the letters reviewed were signed by Nwabueze in his capacity as Executive Director and National Coordinator.
Between January and February 2026, the organisation wrote to the governors of Lagos, Imo, Ondo, Sokoto, Edo and Nasarawa states, among others.
In a January 9 letter marked “Third Reminder” addressed to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the organisation requested the nomination and appointment of a state coordinator. It stated that the appointment would strengthen collaboration between the federal and state governments in promoting local production, small and medium-sized enterprises, industrial growth and international trade. Nominee details, it said, would be used for formal confirmation and issuance of an appointment letter from Abuja.
A February 23 letter directed the Edo State Government to make payments into designated Zenith Bank naira and dollar accounts belonging to the Made in Nigeria Project Office, Abuja, for participation in a summit in Bahrain. The organisation requested $2,500 per person for registration, exhibition and participation, proposing a quota of five government officials and 25 private-sector participants. A full 30-person delegation would have cost $75,000—approximately N100 million at the exchange rate prevailing at the time.
Correspondence with Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule sought support for a national stakeholders’ meeting in Lafia scheduled for 28–30 April. The event was intended to inaugurate a State Coordinators Executive Council comprising representatives from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory and to formally launch the organisation’s national structure. Governor Sule later attended related functions, and state reports indicated the initiative had been included in Nasarawa’s 2026 budget.
On 13 January the organisation wrote to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa requesting land for a “Made in Nigeria Product Market.” It described the proposed facility as a national platform for promoting, producing, exhibiting and commercialising Nigerian-made goods, brands and services, and assured compliance with the state’s master plan and regulations.
A 23 January letter invited Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as special guest of honour and speaker at a national inaugural convention planned for 5–7 February in Lafia, Nasarawa. Beyond the invitation, the organisation requested financial support for transportation, hotel accommodation, feeding, conference materials, registration, training and other logistics. It also invited states to international product fairs in Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, China, South Korea and Oman.
In a 10 February letter to Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu, the organisation invited participation in food and agricultural expos in Bahrain (1–5 April) and Azerbaijan (5–8 May). Citing a mandate under the OSGF, it promised access to international markets, meetings with buyers and investors, and exposure to export standards and agricultural technologies.
The organisation maintained a website that presented it as a strategic OSGF initiative, listed zonal directors, 20 state coordinators across Nigeria and representatives in the United States and China, and claimed a mandate to promote Nigerian brands, support SMEs and organise trade events. Some state governments nominated coordinators, several of whom were serving or former state officials. Anambra State Secretary to the Government Chiamaka Nnake later explained that the state had responded to a formal request for a focal person in the belief that the office was legitimate.
Nwabueze has rejected the ICPC’s characterisation of the office as fictitious. He insists it is a longstanding special project—not a statutory federal agency—that has operated under the OSGF since 2010. In support of his position he has publicly shared documents, including a July 19, 2010 letter and an October 3, 2025 appointment letter signed by Permanent Secretary Nadungu Gagare conveying a five-year renewable appointment effective July 2025. He has also referenced Executive Orders and claimed judicial protection through an ongoing court case. An internal OSGF memorandum dated April 17, 2025, however, described the project as having operated for “about five years” and sought formal Special Project status.
The ICPC investigation continues into how the organisation obtained access to government premises, the extent of any official facilitation, whether public resources were utilised, and the full scope of its engagements with state governments and other public institutions. The case follows earlier probes into other alleged unauthorised federal bodies.
The documents underscore the ease with which an entity using official-looking letterheads, an Abuja address and government-sounding titles was able to engage multiple state administrations before its status was publicly challenged.
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