The National Coordinator and Executive Director of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, George Nwabueze, has dismissed reports that the agency was belonged to the Federal Government.

 News understands that the project coordinator maintained that the agency was a special project that has existed since 2010.

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Recall that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had claimed that the office was operating as a fake federal agency.

“It has been existing since 2010. It’s a special project. Made-in-Nigeria is never an agency. How can you call Made-in-Nigeria Project an agency?” George Nwabueze told The PUNCH.

The clarification came as checks on the 2026 Appropriation Act showed that the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office was not listed as a federal agency or as a separate budgetary agency.

He insisted that the project had longstanding links with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

He shared on his LinkedIn page a letter dated July 19, 2010, purportedly issued by the OSGF and addressed to “Buchi George,” then Executive Director of The Hats Centre in Owerri, Imo State.

The letter, referenced NIG@ 50/S.7/C,3/45 and titled, “RE: ENDORSEMENT OF OUR PROJECT, MADE IN NAIJA, TO BE HELD IN IRELAND,” acknowledged a proposal seeking endorsement for a “Made in Naija” project to be held in Ireland as part of Nigeria’s 50th anniversary.

The letter directed the recipient to forward the proposal to the Nigerian High Commission in Ireland for possible consideration.

It read, “I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 16 July 2010 on the above subject and inform you that you should forward your proposal to the Nigerian High Commission in Ireland for possible consideration.

“Please accept the assurances of the warm regards of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

Commenting on the document, Nwabueze said the history of the project dated back to June 15, 2010, arguing that it was wrong to suggest that the programme had only recently emerged.

“History and facts: Made in Naija since 15th June 2010 to Made in Nigeria Project Office that is since 16 years in same OSGF Office.

“How can you discover a 16-year programme in 2026? It means you have been blind. We are committed to national development,” he wrote

Recall that one of the documents shared by Nwabueze was an appointment letter dated October 3, 2025, purportedly issued by the OSGF.

The document, referenced OSGF/MIN/59310/11/205, was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Nadungu Gagare.

Addressed to “Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, National Coordinator, Made in Nigeria Project Office, OSGF, Three Arms Zone, Abuja,” the letter conveyed approval of his appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office.

The appointment, according to the letter, was for five years beginning from July 2025 and was renewable.

The letter stated, “I am directed to formally convey the approval of your appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

The document said the appointment followed “a careful evaluation of your commitment, contribution, and capacity in delivering on the mandate of the Special Project Office.”

The appointment letter listed several responsibilities for Nwabueze, including overseeing the development and implementation of programmes, projects and policies.

He was also assigned responsibility for coordinating regional and state coordinators across the 36 states and organising exhibitions, trade fairs, economic summits and other activities aimed at promoting Nigerian products and services.

The document stated that the project office was to operate temporarily from Room B53, Ground Floor, within the OSGF complex.

It also noted, “Please note that this appointment is at the pleasure of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and in line with the objectives of the Made in Nigeria initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Another document shared by Nwabueze on LinkedIn showed that the Made-in-Nigeria initiative had previously sought formal recognition as a Special Project.

The document, dated April 17, 2025, was signed by Gagare and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

With the reference number PS-PEAO/2025/008/4, it was titled, ‘A proposal for the Made-in-Nigeria Project to be granted Special Project status.’

The proposal stated that the initiative had been operating for about five years and had promoted Nigerian-made goods and services both domestically and internationally.

It also claimed that the project had organised economic forums and trade exhibitions in different parts of the world and contributed to the economy, particularly by attracting foreign direct investment.

The document listed job creation, economic expansion and poverty reduction among the expected benefits of granting the initiative special-project status.

It further argued that the programme could boost Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product by supporting local industries and encouraging domestic manufacturing.

According to the proposal, promoting locally produced goods would also help reduce dependence on imports, conserve foreign exchange and improve the country’s trade balance.

The document linked the initiative to the Federal Government’s broader economic diversification agenda, particularly efforts to reduce reliance on crude oil and strengthen the non-oil sector.