PFIPC Scandal: Impostor Accused of Defrauding Nigeria, Targeting Chief of Staff

The controversy surrounding Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew and a supposed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has moved beyond simple allegations and denials. It has become a public test of institutional integrity and media responsibility, highlighting how suspicion can be weaponized against public officials.

At the heart of the dispute is the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila. He has publicly disavowed the PFIPC, a body that appears to lack any legal foundation or official establishment. Matthew's claim to lead this council is further undermined by his inability to produce a formal appointment letter, which is standard procedure for any federal government appointment in Nigeria. Such an appointment would typically be formalized through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Adding significant weight to Gbajabiamila's position is a formal document from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, dated October 21, 2025. This letter explicitly states that the PFIPC is "not a recognised body of the Federal Government of Nigeria," possesses "no legal or administrative backing," and that its operations are "unauthorised and fraudulent." This institutional repudiation casts serious doubt on Matthew's continued assertions of legitimacy.

While Matthew's supporters may point to various documents like correspondence, proposals, and summit invitations as proof of his involvement, these do not confer official authority. The Nigerian government has clarified that receiving a letter or submitting a proposal does not equate to an official appointment or the establishment of an agency. The pattern of self-aggrandizement is evident in materials presenting Matthew as Director-General/Convener-General of the World Investment Summit, further fueling suspicions about his true role and intentions.

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PFIPC “is not a recognised body of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” has “no legal or administrative backing,” was not established by any federal instrument, and that its operations are “unauthorised and fraudulent.”