Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an investigation into how a fictitious government agency was included in the country’s 2026 budget with a proposed allocation of about 1.3 billion naira ($944,300), despite having no legal status.
The agency, known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, was reportedly operating from offices inside the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, which houses several legitimate government ministries.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the presidency said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had been directed to investigate the matter and submit its findings within 30 days.
The probe will examine allegations that forged appointment letters were used to establish the fake agency and secure official recognition, including assistance in obtaining visas.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly presented himself as the agency’s head, as a “con artist” with a history of misrepresentation.
According to the presidency, no public funds were disbursed to the agency. However, the incident has raised questions over how a non-existent institution was incorporated into the national budget.
Local media said Adeyemi claimed to have received an appointment letter purportedly signed by Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who has denied any involvement and said he does not know the suspect.
The case has intensified scrutiny of the government’s oversight mechanisms as Tinubu faces mounting political pressure over governance and anti-corruption efforts.
Adeyemi is scheduled to appear in court on July 27 on charges including forgery of official documents, falsely seeking government recognition for a non-existent agency, and opening multiple bank accounts in its name.
