Nigeria Probes Second Alleged Fake Government Agency as Tinubu Orders Arrest.

Three Senior Officials Suspended Over Unauthorised Office.

Nigeria has opened an investigation into a second alleged fake government agency discovered operating from within the country’s federal government structure. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the arrest of George Buchi Nwabueze, who is accused of running the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office without proper government authorisation.

The development has raised fresh concerns about oversight within Nigeria’s government after three senior officials were suspended in connection with the case. The alleged agency was reportedly operating from premises belonging to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, raising questions about how an unauthorised organisation gained access to government facilities.

Investigation Uncovers Wider Questions.

The case emerged during an investigation by Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into another alleged fake government body, the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council. Authorities said the earlier investigation eventually led them to the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office.

The discovery has prompted concerns about possible cooperation between individuals operating the alleged agencies and officials inside government. Authorities have not yet established whether the latest organisation successfully obtained public funds, and the investigation is expected to determine how it operated and who authorised its activities.

Nwabueze Disputes the Allegations.

Nwabueze has rejected the description of his organisation as fake and has produced an appointment letter that he says was issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He has also argued that the Made-in-Nigeria initiative existed before the Tinubu administration, challenging the government’s characterisation of the organisation.

His response adds another dimension to the investigation, as authorities now have to establish whether the organisation was deliberately created to impersonate a government agency or whether there was a genuine administrative process behind its activities.

Scandal Comes at a Sensitive Political Moment.

The investigation comes as Nigeria moves deeper into the political season ahead of the country’s next general election. The discovery of another alleged unauthorised government body could provide fresh ammunition for opposition politicians and critics who have questioned transparency and accountability within the administration.

For Tinubu’s government, the response will be closely watched. Ordering an investigation and suspending officials demonstrates a willingness to act, but the credibility of the process will ultimately depend on whether those responsible are identified and held accountable regardless of their position.

The latest case is more than an unusual government scandal. It exposes potential weaknesses in Nigeria’s administrative controls and raises questions about how unauthorised organisations can gain access to government offices. As the investigation continues, Nigerians will be watching to see whether the authorities uncover an isolated case of impersonation or evidence of a wider system of institutional failures.