George Nwabueze, National Coordinator and Executive Director of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, has refuted allegations that he is running an illegal agency.
Speaking with journalists, Nwabueze stated that he oversees an entity operating under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He maintained that the initiative has been active for 16 years.
His response follows an announcement by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, which stated that President Bola Tinubu ordered Nwabueze’s arrest for managing what it categorized as an unauthorized federal agency. The commission alleged that he operated the outfit alongside senior public servants within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
In response to the claims, Nwabueze questioned the allegations, stating, “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 (Friday). After 16 years; Nigeria is a funny country.”
To counter the claims made by the commission, Nwabueze shared a copy of his appointment letter on LinkedIn. The document, dated October 3, 2025, carried reference number OSGF/MIN/59310/11/205 and was signed by Nadungu Gagare, Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office.
Addressed to “Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, National Coordinator, Made in Nigeria Project Office, OSGF, Three Arms Zone, Abuja,” the letter confirmed approval of his position as National Coordinator/Executive Director for a renewable five-year term starting July 2025.
The letter noted, “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.” It added that the selection was based on “a careful evaluation of your commitment, contribution, and capacity in delivering on the mandate of the Special Project Office.”
The letter outlined Nwabueze’s duties, which include managing programs and policies, overseeing regional and state coordinators across all 36 states, and coordinating trade expos, exhibitions, and economic summits to promote local goods and services. It assigned temporary operational quarters to Room B53 on the Ground Floor of the OSGF complex, noting, “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.”
Nwabueze declined further comment when contacted for additional details.
A second document dated April 17, 2025, also uploaded by Nwabueze on LinkedIn, showed a proposal addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Permanent Secretary Gagare. Titled “A Proposal for the Made-in-Nigeria Project to be Granted Special Project Status,” the letter noted that the initiative had functioned for roughly five years, promoting Nigerian goods locally and abroad through international trade events.
The proposal outlined expected outcomes, including job creation, economic expansion, poverty alleviation, and foreign exchange preservation through reduced import reliance. It requested the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to note that official special project status would boost the entity’s standing, while noting that operational frameworks would undergo formal review.
The commission’s Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, disclosed that the investigation into the office originated from a broader inquiry into the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. Aliyu stated that the office secured space within the OSGF without presidential approval, alleging that Prince George Buchi Nwabueze operated under several name variants with assistance from civil servants inside the OSGF.
Despite these findings, media shared on the organization’s LinkedIn page depicted involvement with sub-national governments. In one report, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule noted that his administration had integrated the program.
“For us in Nasarawa State, we have since domesticated this initiative of the Federal Government in our solemn commitment to promote local contents and have value for resources abound in our dear state,” Sule said. He added, “I’m happy to inform you that we did not only domesticate this project, but we also accord special attention to its operationalisation by including it in our 2026 budget.”
The organization’s online portals list a detailed administrative structure across national, zonal, and state tiers, operated under the social media moniker @pmainpro. Listed officials include Dr Bassey B. Unaowo as Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs in the OSGF, alongside Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni as Director of National Administration.
However, an OSGF staff member stated that the physical premises had been closed for several months, noting that while it was under active investigation, it did not function as a recognized federal agency.
Inquiries sent to OSGF spokesperson Christopher Ugwuegbulam yielded a request for a formal written letter before offering official comment. Attempts to reach commission spokesperson John Odey were unsuccessful. Furthermore, police sources confirmed that law enforcement agencies had not received a formal briefing required to commence a search for the suspect.
