Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, was decorated as Grand Patron of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office in May 2026, weeks before the ICPC questioned the organisation’s status.
The development followed letters sent to several state governments asking them to nominate coordinators for the organisation.
President Bola Tinubu later ordered the arrest of Nwabueze Buchi George, the organisation’s Executive Director and National Coordinator, after an ICPC investigation reportedly found that it operated under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation without presidential authorisation.
At least 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory reportedly received requests to nominate coordinators. Several states subsequently submitted nominees, apparently believing the organisation was a legitimate government initiative.
In May, 28 state coordinators reportedly took their oath of office at an inauguration in Nasarawa State, where Governor Sule was decorated as Grand Patron by George.
Chiamaka Nnake, Secretary to the Anambra State Government, confirmed that she was nominated by Governor Chukwuma Soludo after the state received a letter from George. She said she had no connection with the organisation beyond her official engagements.
The ICPC investigation has now raised questions about the organisation’s activities and its dealings with state and federal officials.
The allegations remain subject to investigation, while affected persons and officials have the right to respond.
