\n\nA major political controversy has erupted in Nigeria following the discovery of an alleged fake federal agency that reportedly secured a budget allocation of ₦1.3 billion and operated from the Federal Secretariat in Abuja using forged government documents.
The agency, identified as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), is alleged to have been created without legal backing. Investigators say the suspected mastermind, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, allegedly forged official documents, impersonated senior government officials, and used fake approvals to convince government agencies that the council was legitimate.
Reports indicate that the suspect allegedly succeeded in obtaining office space within the Federal Secretariat and even held meetings with foreign diplomats while presenting himself as the head of the non-existent agency. Authorities are also investigating claims that forged signatures of top government officials, including the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, were used to lend credibility to the operation.
Following the revelations, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has ordered a full investigation into the matter. Anti-corruption agencies and security authorities have been directed to determine how the alleged fraud occurred, identify everyone involved, and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
The scandal has sparked widespread public concern over weaknesses in government oversight and accountability. Many Nigerians have questioned how an organisation without legal recognition could allegedly gain access to government facilities, appear in official budget documents, and conduct activities under the guise of a federal institution.
Opposition figures and civil society organisations have called for an independent and transparent investigation, arguing that the case raises serious questions about public financial management and institutional checks within the federal government. They insist that the investigation should uncover whether the operation involved only a single individual or a wider network of collaborators.
As investigations continue, the outcome is expected to shape public confidence in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and may lead to stricter verification procedures for government agencies, budget approvals, and official documentation.
