**Nigeria Probes Alleged Fake Presidential Council Scandal**
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has initiated an investigation into the establishment of a purportedly fictitious government agency within the presidency, which reportedly had an allocation of approximately $950,000 in the 2026 budget. The agency in question, known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), has been declared nonexistent by Tinubu's office, which asserts that it lacked any legal foundation or presidential approval.
The investigation will delve into the activities surrounding the PFIPC, which was allegedly operated by Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew. Matthew reportedly presented himself as the director-general of the council, utilizing forged documents to support his claims. According to the presidency, the PFIPC managed to secure office space in Abuja, opened bank accounts, and conducted meetings with both government officials and foreign representatives prior to the emergence of the scandal.
Despite the PFIPC being included in Nigeria's 2026 Appropriation Act with a budget allocation of 1.3 billion naira, the Accountant-General's Office has confirmed that the agency did not receive any public funds, salaries, or maintain an operational account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
In response to the situation, President Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough investigation. The ICPC has been tasked with not only examining the actions of Matthew and his collaborators but also exploring the broader circumstances that allowed a fictitious agency to gain a semblance of official legitimacy. The commission is expected to provide a comprehensive report within 30 days.
Matthew has reportedly gone into hiding following the allegations against him, prompting police to launch a manhunt on charges of forgery, impersonation, and related offenses. His troubles began in October 2025 when security agencies began probing suspected forged appointment documents associated with the PFIPC.
In a recent interview with local media outlet Premium Times, Adeyemi denied the allegations, asserting that the PFIPC was a legitimate agency established in 2024 with the aim of attracting foreign investment to Nigeria. He claimed to have been duly appointed to lead the council and mentioned having an appointment letter, although he refrained from providing further details due to ongoing legal proceedings. Speaking from an undisclosed location, he expressed concerns for his safety and suggested that the government was attempting to suppress his voice.
"You know the government we have. They are just playing a defense mechanism to shut me up. My organization was set up in 2024," he stated.
This incident adds to a growing list of fraud and corruption cases in Nigeria, a country that has faced persistent challenges related to governance and accountability. Just last week, the nation’s anti-corruption agency arrested former Science and Technology Minister Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji on charges of allegedly forging academic credentials, which he has also denied.
The unfolding investigation into the PFIPC highlights ongoing issues of corruption within Nigerian governance structures and raises questions about the efficacy of oversight mechanisms in preventing fraudulent activities. As the ICPC embarks on its inquiry, the implications of this scandal may extend beyond individual accountability, potentially prompting broader discussions about the integrity of governmental institutions in Nigeria.