DG of ‘fake’ agency explains motives, denies personal gain

Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the embattled Director General of what is described as a "fake" Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, has broken his silence to explain the motivations behind establishing the agency. In a video call with social media critic Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, Matthew asserted that his primary goal was to enhance Nigeria's international standing and attract foreign investors, thereby promoting President Bola Tinubu's administration.

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I established that amount (rumoured N400 million) for the agency’s office out of passion for the country. I wanted to bring in foreign investors to Nigeria so that I can write my name in gold. I am just desperate to serve.

Matthew vehemently denied any personal interest, stating his actions stemmed from a "passion for the country" and a desire to "write my name in gold" by making Nigeria a preferred destination for global investment. He claimed he was unaware of his agency's budget being included and defended in the national budget approved by the National Assembly. He also alleged that the rumored N400 million budget for the agency's office was paid out of his own pocket due to his "desperate to serve" attitude.

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That agency was established to bring in foreign investments to Nigeria and make Nigeria a preferred destination for foreign investors.

The DG expressed bewilderment at the Presidency's denial of the agency's existence, questioning how it found its way into the national budget without his involvement. He detailed his detention for 23 days between October and November when the budget was allegedly prepared and defended. Matthew stated that upon his release on November 19, 2025, he was charged to court, and the office space had already been reallocated.

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This whole thing is confusing especially when the Presidency said that the agency does not exist. How come? The agency that found its way into the national budget.

Matthew also touched upon a petition against him, mentioning a conversation with the Chief of Staff to the President through a late friend, Dolapo Tanimola, but denied discussing the petition directly. He also referenced an invitation from the former Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, where he provided the name and number of the person who facilitated his appointment letter, leading to his detention.

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I didn’t prepare any budget. In fact, I was in detention for 23 days when the budget for the Presidential Foreign Council was prepared and defended in the National Assembly between October and November.