The National Coordinator and Executive Director of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, George Nwabueze, has continued to challenge the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission’s description of the outfit as an alleged fake federal agency, releasing additional documents which he says demonstrate a longstanding relationship with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ELLAN.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
Nwabueze, who has maintained that the organisation is a legitimate project office under the OSGF rather than a fictitious government agency, published a fresh document on his LinkedIn page on Sunday as the controversy over the status of the office intensified.
The latest document is a letter dated July 19, 2010, bearing the letterhead of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Nigeria@50 anniversary insignia.
The letter, with reference NIG @ 50/S.7/C.3/45, was addressed to “Buchi George, The Executive Director, The Hats Centre, 25 Ohaozara, Aladinma, P.O. Box 4297 Owerri, Imo State.”
It was titled: “RE: ENDORSEMENT OF OUR PROJECT, MADE IN NAIJA, TO BE HELD IN IRELAND.”
According to the document, the OSGF acknowledged a proposal dated July 16, 2010, concerning a “Made in Naija” project proposed to be held in Ireland.
The letter stated:
“I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 16th July, 2010 on the above subject and inform you that you should forward your proposal to the Nigerian High Commission in Ireland for possible consideration.
“Please accept the assurances of the warm regards of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”
The document was signed “Dominic, Y.E.” for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
However, the authenticity of the letter has not been independently established.
Commenting on the document, Nwabueze argued that the correspondence supported his position that the initiative had existed for about 16 years and was not an organisation that suddenly appeared in government offices.
“History and facts, from Made in Naija since 15th June 2010 to Made in Nigeria Project Office, that is since 16 years in same OSGF Office,” he wrote.
He then questioned the ICPC’s recent announcement that it had uncovered the project office during its investigation.
“How can you discover a 16 years programme in 2026? It’s means you have been blind, we are committed to the national development,” Nwabueze stated.
The latest document is part of a series of materials Nwabueze has released in an attempt to establish what he describes as the legitimate history and official recognition of the project.
He subsequently shared promotional graphics bearing the organisation’s logo and highlighting programmes it says are aimed at encouraging domestic production and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports.
One of the materials carried the slogans “Localise national products, industrialise Nigeria” and “Our products. Our pride. Our progress.”
It also urged Nigerians to “Create,” “Boost local economy,” “Reduce import dependency” and “Build a stronger Nigeria.”
Another promotional material advertised a programme described as “Drive Local Production Development under the Industrialize Nigeria” initiative, alongside the phrase “Locally made for global access.”
The listed objectives included promoting local manufacturing, creating employment and wealth, reducing import dependence and improving the global competitiveness of Nigerian products.
Nwabueze’s latest intervention follows allegations by the ICPC that the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office was an unauthorised government outfit operating from within the OSGF premises.
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, had said the Commission discovered the office while expanding its investigation into another alleged fictitious organisation, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
According to Aliyu, investigators found that the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office had allegedly been allocated office space within the premises of the OSGF despite having no presidential authorisation.
The anti-corruption commission identified Nwabueze as the promoter of the office and alleged that the operation may have involved the collaboration of senior public servants.
The ICPC also alleged that Nwabueze operated under different variations of his name and that the purported office had established an extensive structure involving national officials, zonal directors and state coordinators across the country.
The project’s online presence had also presented it as an organisation concerned with the promotion of Nigerian brands and locally manufactured products.
The ICPC, however, maintained that its investigation showed that the office lacked the necessary presidential authorisation and was operating contrary to extant laws.
Following the Commission’s briefing, President Bola Tinubu was reported to have ordered Nwabueze’s immediate arrest and suspended three Permanent Secretaries pending investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged office and how it secured accommodation within the Federal Government’s administrative structure.
Nwabueze has consistently rejected the “fake agency” characterisation.
In an earlier response, he said the Made in Nigeria Special Project Office was a project office under the OSGF and claimed that its activities dated back to July 2010.
“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. After 16 years; Nigeria is a funny country,” he said.
He had earlier circulated another document dated October 3, 2025, which he said was an appointment letter issued by the OSGF conveying approval of his appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office.
Another document previously released by him indicated that the organisation sought special project status from the OSGF in April 2025.
Nwabueze now appears to be relying on the 2010 correspondence to establish that the idea behind the Made in Nigeria project substantially predates those 2025 documents.
The July 2010 letter, however, on its face, acknowledges a proposal for a “Made in Naija” project in Ireland and directs the recipient to forward the proposal to the Nigerian High Commission in Ireland “for possible consideration.”
Whether that correspondence amounts to the formal establishment or authorisation of the present-day National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office remains one of the central issues raised by the competing claims.
The ICPC’s position is that the organisation had no presidential authorisation, while Nwabueze insists that a documentary trail stretching back to 2010 demonstrates that the project has long operated with links to the OSGF.
The dispute therefore now centres not merely on whether correspondence exists between Nwabueze or his projects and the OSGF, but on what legal or administrative authority, if any, those documents conferred for the creation and operation of the present office.
With President Tinubu reported to have ordered Nwabueze’s arrest and the ICPC continuing its investigation, the authenticity, legal effect and administrative history of the documents he has released are expected to become important issues as investigators seek to determine how the project operated within the OSGF and whether it possessed the official authorisation its promoter claims.
“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion.
Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating:
"....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic."
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
