The National Coordinator and Executive Director of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, George Nwabueze, has denied allegations that he is operating a “fake agency”, insisting that the office is a legitimate project office under the supervision of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Nwabueze, who spoke with newsmen on Saturday, saying the Made in Nigeria Special Project Office had been in existence for 16 years and was established within the OSGF.
His response followed an allegation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission that President Bola Tinubu had ordered his arrest over his alleged role in operating and promoting what the anti-corruption agency described as a fake federal agency.
The ICPC had also alleged that Nwabueze operated the organisation with the assistance of senior public servants within the OSGF. But Nwabueze rejected the allegation, saying the office was a legitimate government project.
“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,” he said.
Nwabueze was responding to enquiries from the newspaper after he shared his appointment letter on LinkedIn in an apparent effort to counter the ICPC’s claim.
The letter, dated October 3, 2025, was purportedly issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
It was referenced OSGF/MIN/59310/11/205 and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Nadungu Gagare.
The document, addressed to “Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, National Coordinator, Made in Nigeria Project Office, OSGF, Three Arms Zone, Abuja,” conveyed approval for his appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office under the OSGF.
According to the letter, Nwabueze’s appointment was for an initial five-year tenure beginning in July 2025, with the possibility of renewal.
“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.
The document added that the appointment followed an assessment of Nwabueze’s “commitment, contribution, and capacity” to deliver on the mandate of the Special Project Office.
