The discovery of alleged fake government agencies operating within Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service has continued to generate widespread reactions, with Nigerians questioning how such entities were able to secure government offices, access official facilities and, in one case, receive budgetary allocation without being detected earlier.
The development has also renewed concerns about institutional oversight and accountability under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recently uncovered the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an alleged fictitious agency that reportedly secured office accommodation, operated bank accounts and appeared in government budget documents.
For much of 2025, the PFIPC reportedly operated as though it were a legitimate Federal Government institution, presenting itself as an organisation established to promote foreign investment in Nigeria.
The purported agency reportedly operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, a major government complex housing several ministries and public institutions.
Reports indicated that career civil servants were assigned to the organisation, while it also operated a website on a government .gov.ng domain.
The organisation was further reported to have secured approval to recruit more than 300 personnel at a time when the Federal Government had imposed restrictions on public-sector recruitment.
Although its website has reportedly been taken down, its Instagram account was said to remain active.
Alleged Appointment And Budget Allocation
The purported Director-General of the PFIPC, Adeniyi Adeyemi, was reportedly able to interact with senior government officials, including cabinet ministers, financial regulators, anti-corruption officials and foreign diplomats.
The alleged agency was also reportedly captured in Nigeria’s 2026 national budget after it was signed into law, with an allocation of about ₦1.3 billion.
Adeyemi subsequently made allegations against the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, claiming that he received ₦400 million through proxies and demanded an additional ₦200 million to facilitate his appointment.
He also questioned how an organisation described as a “ghost agency” could have appeared in official government budget documents.
The Presidency, however, rejected the allegations against Gbajabiamila and described the PFIPC as a fictitious and non-existent organisation.
The government also accused Adeyemi of being a con artist allegedly attempting to exploit public confidence and divert attention from criminal accountability.
The Presidency further stated that Gbajabiamila had no knowledge of the appointment letter reportedly circulated in connection with the purported agency.
Following an investigation ordered by President Tinubu, a Federal High Court reportedly issued an arrest warrant for Adeyemi.
He was subsequently arrested by police operatives, while the matter was taken before the court for further proceedings.
ICPC Uncovers Another Alleged Fake Office
The controversy deepened when the ICPC reportedly uncovered another purported government entity known as the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office.
The office was reportedly operating within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and was allegedly promoted by Prince George Buchi Nwabueze.
Following the discovery, President Tinubu ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries reportedly linked to the unauthorised establishment of the office.
Those suspended were identified as M.S. Danjuma, Engr. Nadungu Gagare and Richard Pheelangwah.
The developments have raised fresh questions about the mechanisms used by the Federal Government to establish, supervise and verify government institutions.
Nigerians Demand Accountability
Speaking to DAILY POST, some Nigerians expressed concern over how organisations allegedly lacking proper legal mandates could operate from government premises and interact with senior officials without being detected earlier.
Divine Akor described the reported discovery of the alleged fake agencies as more than an administrative embarrassment, arguing that it raises serious questions about the effectiveness of government oversight.
He asked how an organisation allegedly without a lawful mandate could obtain government office space, present itself as a Federal Government institution and interact with public officials without triggering an earlier investigation.
According to him, legitimate government agencies require legal backing, an approved organisational structure, a supervising authority and verifiable government records.
“Government agencies are not private associations that can be created with a letterhead, office and fancy title. They require legal backing, an approved structure, a supervising authority and verifiable government records.
“If the safeguards against fake agencies were bypassed, then the Tinubu administration must accept that there is a serious failure of institutional oversight.”
Another respondent, Isaac Adeyemo, said President Tinubu deserved recognition for ordering investigations but argued that investigations alone would not address the underlying problem.
Adeyemo said authorities should determine who allowed the alleged organisations to operate and whether insiders within government facilitated or protected their activities.
“The more important question is: Who allowed these entities to exist and operate in the first place?
“The Office of the Head of the Civil Service, the SGF’s office, relevant ministries and other supervisory authorities must explain what checks failed.
“And if insiders facilitated or protected these operations, they must be investigated alongside the alleged perpetrators.”
Calls For Audit Of Government Agencies
Blessing Ede called for greater transparency and demanded answers on whether public funds, government facilities, official documents or other government privileges were accessed through the alleged fake entities.
She called for the publication of a comprehensive register containing all legally recognised Federal Government agencies and the laws establishing them.
She also advocated an immediate verification exercise for organisations occupying government premises.
“Audit the financial activities connected to the alleged fake agencies. Investigate both external perpetrators and government insiders who may have enabled them. Strengthen digital verification of every federal institution.”
Paul Ogbole similarly called for accountability where supervisory failures are established.
He argued that officials responsible for regulating and supervising government institutions should face scrutiny if investigations establish that the alleged fake agencies were able to operate because of negligence, collusion or other institutional failures.
Ogbole said the President could not personally supervise every government office but remained ultimately responsible for the integrity of the executive machinery.
“Nigeria does not need another scandal that ends with a few arrests while the loopholes remain open.
“If a fake agency can allegedly operate inside the Federal Government without immediate detection, then the real scandal is not only the fake agency. The real scandal is a system that made its existence possible.”
The controversy has therefore shifted beyond the alleged perpetrators, with growing calls for the Federal Government to investigate how the purported agencies obtained access to government facilities and official processes, determine whether public resources were used, and strengthen the mechanisms for verifying every institution operating under the Federal Civil Service.
