The National Coordinator and Executive Director of the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, George Nwabueze, has challenged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission’s claim that his organisation is an unauthorised government agency.

Nwabueze responded to the allegation by publishing an appointment letter purportedly issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The letter, dated October 3, 2025, was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Nadungu Gagare, and conveyed approval of Nwabueze’s appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made-in-Nigeria Project Office under the OSGF.

According to the document, Nwabueze was appointed for a five-year tenure beginning in July 2025, renewable subject to the terms of the appointment.

The letter listed his responsibilities to include supervising programmes, projects and policies, coordinating regional and state representatives, and organising trade exhibitions, economic summits and other initiatives promoting Nigerian products and services.

Nwabueze said the project office had existed within the OSGF for years, questioning why it was now being described as a fake agency.

His response followed a briefing by ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu, who said investigators had uncovered the organisation while probing the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

The ICPC alleged that the Made-in-Nigeria office operated within the OSGF without presidential authorisation and had the backing of some senior public servants.

Nwabueze also shared another document dated April 17, 2025, in which his office sought special-project status for the Made-in-Nigeria initiative.

The proposal claimed that the initiative had been operating for about five years and had promoted Nigerian-made products through trade exhibitions and economic forums.

The documents released by Nwabueze are expected to form part of the growing controversy over the status and official backing of the organisation.