Nwabueze defends 'Made-in-Nigeria' office, posts documents after ICPC claims it's fake

George Nwabueze has pushed back against allegations from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which claimed his National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office was a fake federal agency. Nwabueze asserts the initiative is legitimate and has shared documents he believes support its official status, linking it to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

Nwabueze, who identifies himself as the National Coordinator and Executive Director of the project office, has rejected the ICPC's assertion that the organization operates without government authorization. He posted documents on LinkedIn, including what he claims is an appointment letter dated October 3, 2025, from the OSGF's Political and Economic Affairs Office. He also presented a letter from July 19, 2010, as evidence of the Made-in-Nigeria initiative's long-standing existence. PREMIUM TIMES has not independently verified the authenticity of these documents.

The controversy follows recent claims by the ICPC that President Bola Tinubu ordered Nwabueze's immediate arrest. The commission also stated that three permanent secretaries, M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah, were suspended following the discovery of the office. According to the ICPC, the organization was allocated space within the OSGF premises without presidential approval, and allegations suggest collusion with some senior public servants.

One of the documents Nwabueze shared, purportedly on the OSGF letterhead, indicates his appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made-in-Nigeria Project Office. This letter, dated October 3, 2025, references OSGF/MIN/59310/II/205 and states his five-year appointment began in July 2025 and is renewable. It cites Nwabueze's "commitment, contribution, and capacity" as reasons for his selection and outlines responsibilities such as supervising programs, projects, and policies, overseeing coordinators nationwide, and organizing events to promote indigenous products. The document also notes the project would use temporary office space within the OSGF complex.