How Nwabueze’s ‘Fake’ Made-in-Nigeria Office Built Network Across States, Federal Agencies

Questions are emerging about how an organisation, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, described as an unauthorised government office, managed to establish relationships with federal ministries and state governments across Nigeria.

The development followed the ICPC’s disclosure that the National Centre for Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Projects Office, promoted by George Nwabueze, allegedly operated without presidential approval despite presenting itself as a Federal Government initiative under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

President Bola Tinubu subsequently ordered Nwabueze’s immediate arrest and the suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.

According to the ICPC, the organisation had secured office space within the OSGF premises and allegedly had collaborators within the office. Its website, madeinnigeriang.org, presented the organisation as a national government project focused on promoting Nigerian brands, supporting SMEs, encouraging local production and driving economic development.

However, records from government institutions indicate that the organisation had developed a significant government-facing presence before the ICPC’s disclosure. In June, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation reported that Nwabueze led a delegation to the Abia State Government House, where they met Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu and other senior officials. The engagement reportedly focused on promoting Made-in-Nigeria products, strengthening local industries and expanding opportunities for SMEs.

The organisation also featured in an official account by the Anambra State Government following a meeting between Nwabueze, the state Secretary to the Government, Chiamaka Nnake, and the Commissioner for Commerce and Economic Development. Discussions reportedly centred on plans to host the National Products Expo 2026 in the state, with Nwabueze presenting the National Products Fair as a special project domiciled under the OSGF.

In Abia, the relationship reportedly went further, with the state Ministry of Industry and SMEs announcing a partnership with the organisation for Abia Expo 2026. The proposed event was intended to promote locally manufactured products, particularly those from Aba, while attracting investors, buyers, sponsors, development partners and policymakers.

The organisation also claimed involvement in other government-related initiatives, including a proposed collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry for a Nigeria House showcase at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos and a proposed water-sector economic summit involving the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation. However, these claims were published on platforms associated with the organisation and have not been independently verified.

The emerging records do not establish that the government officials and institutions that engaged with the organisation knew it was allegedly operating without authorisation. They do, however, raise questions about how an organisation now described by the ICPC as fictitious or unauthorised was able to secure official engagements, feature in government communications and participate in planned programmes involving public institutions.

PUNCH Online said it contacted the organisation through its published channels for clarification but had received no response as of press time. Neither the Federal Government nor the ICPC has provided further details on how the organisation gained access to government offices and established relationships with public officials.