Made-in-Nigeria Project Is Not a Fake Agency — Nwabueze Fires Back at ICPC

The National Coordinator and Executive Director of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, George Nwabueze, has rejected allegations that his outfit is a fake Federal Government agency, insisting that it is a special project that has existed since 2010.

Nwabueze, who spoke on Sunday, said the Made-in-Nigeria initiative was never established as a federal agency and therefore should not be described as one.

“It has been existing since 2010. It’s a special project. Made-in-Nigeria is never an agency. How can you call Made-in-Nigeria Project an agency?” he said.

His comments followed checks on the 2026 Appropriation Act, which showed that the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office was not listed as a federal agency or as a separate budgetary agency.

However, Nwabueze maintained that the project has longstanding ties to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

To support his claim, he published on LinkedIn a letter dated July 19, 2010, purportedly issued by the OSGF and addressed to “Buchi George,” then Executive Director of The Hats Centre in Owerri, Imo State.

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The letter, referenced NIG@ 50/S.7/C,3/45 and titled “Re: Endorsement of Our Project, Made in Naija, to be Held in Ireland,” acknowledged a proposal seeking government endorsement for a “Made in Naija” project to mark Nigeria’s 50th anniversary.

According to the letter, the proposal was to be forwarded to the Nigerian High Commission in Ireland for possible consideration.

Nwabueze argued that the document showed that the initiative was not a recent creation.

“History and facts: Made in Naija since 15th June 2010 to Made in Nigeria Project Office that is since 16 years in same OSGF Office,” he wrote.

“How can you discover a 16-year programme in 2026? It means you have been blind. We are committed to national development.”

The controversy erupted after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission said its investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council led to the discovery of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office.

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The ICPC alleged that the project office had been allocated space within the OSGF premises without presidential authorisation and identified Nwabueze as its promoter.

Nwabueze has repeatedly denied the allegation, insisting that the outfit operates as a project office under the OSGF.

He also released an appointment letter dated October 3, 2025, purportedly issued by the OSGF, approving his appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office.

Another document showed that the office had applied to the OSGF in April 2025 for special project status.

Meanwhile, Nwabueze has continued promoting the initiative, including publishing graphics carrying slogans such as “Localise national products, industrialise Nigeria,” “Our products. Our pride. Our progress,” and “Locally made for global access.”

When contacted, the SGF’s spokesman, Christopher Ugwuegbulam, asked The PUNCH to submit a formal letter to the office before a response could be provided.

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