The National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office presented itself as a Federal Government initiative with a broad mandate to promote Nigerian products, support businesses and drive the country’s transition from a consumption-driven to a production-led economy.
According to information published on its active website, the organisation described itself as a “strategic initiative” of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), established to promote the production, consumption and global visibility of locally made goods and services.
The organisation said its focus was on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises, stimulating industrial growth and repositioning Nigeria as a hub for homegrown innovation and sustainable development.
It also claimed that its programmes were designed to “enhance self-reliance, reduce import dependence, and create jobs” through national initiatives, trade exhibitions, economic forums and brand-development strategies.
What did the organisation claim to do?
Information published on the organisation’s website outlined a wide range of responsibilities.
Among its stated objectives were promoting awareness and consumption of Made-in-Nigeria products, encouraging local production, facilitating foreign direct investment through trade shows and economic forums, supporting government policies on industrialisation and job creation, and providing SMEs with tools, training and resources to compete in international markets.
It also claimed to be working towards Nigeria’s transition “from a consumption-driven to a production-led economy.”
Its stated core mandates included plans to revive moribund factories through investment models such as Build-Own-Operate-Transfer and foreign direct investment.
The organisation further claimed that it would establish a “National Labelling and Anti-Counterfeiting System” to improve product authenticity and quality assurance.
Other functions listed on the website included supporting national clusters, innovation hubs and research and development centres, as well as showcasing Nigerian products at expos, fairs and economic forums through a proposed National Products Gallery.
The organisation said it aimed to promote Nigerian brands domestically and internationally, with focus areas including local consumption, SME empowerment, standardisation, market access and collaboration with government, the private sector and international institutions.
What does it say about its history?
The organisation’s website claimed that the Made-in-Nigeria initiative was conceived in 2006 during the Nigeria-Singapore Economic Forum.
It further stated that the initiative was later formalised under the leadership of Ambassador Chike Alex Anigbo (MNI) and approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2017.
According to the website, the project initially operated as a public-private partnership with Trade Nigeria and subsequently underwent “test cases” involving Nigeria and Ireland, South Korea, Singapore and Poland.
It also claimed that the Made-in-Nigeria Project Office was eventually established under the OSGF, “cementing its role as a statutory national program.”
These historical and institutional details were presented by the organisation on its website and remain claims attributed to the organisation.
What has the ICPC found?
The organisation’s claims of government affiliation have come under scrutiny following an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu, SAN, said the commission had uncovered the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office operating within the OSGF.
According to Aliyu, the office had been illegally allocated space within the OSGF premises, contrary to existing laws and without presidential authorisation.
He identified George Buchi Nwabueze as the promoter and said he operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Honourable George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.
The commission also alleged that there were suspected collaborators within the OSGF.
Following the briefing, President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate arrest of Nwabueze and the suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.
Further details about the agency and the circumstances surrounding its activities have yet to be fully made public.
How does it fit into the wider investigation?
The discovery followed the exposure of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, whose self-styled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, is facing prosecution over allegations of forgery and impersonation.
An ICPC interim report submitted to President Tinubu on August 6, following a 30-day investigation, also identified two other alleged fictitious bodies — the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.
The National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office therefore becomes the fourth alleged fictitious body uncovered in the investigation.
The case presents a striking contrast between the organisation’s public claims and the findings announced by the anti-corruption agency.
While the organisation’s website portrayed it as a government-backed national programme with extensive economic and industrial responsibilities, the ICPC described the office as fictitious and unauthorised, alleging that it had nevertheless been allocated space within the OSGF.
The commission said its investigation is continuing.
Efforts to reach the management of the organisation were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. The three telephone numbers published on its website were switched off, while messages sent to the purported national coordinator had not received a response.
President Tinubu had earlier directed the commission to conduct a comprehensive forensic investigation into the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council scandal after the ICPC reported that it had uncovered multiple alleged fake government agencies.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed the directive while briefing State House correspondents after a Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.