By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Fresh documents have revealed that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) approved Adeniyi Adeyemi, the alleged Director-General of the disowned Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), to attend the Canada-Africa Fintech Summit (CAFS) in August 2025. The approval, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office, has intensified questions over how the alleged non-existent agency operated within federal institutions despite repeated denials by the Presidency.
OSGF Approved Canada Fintech Summit Participation
The controversy deepened after documents obtained and showed that Engr. Nadungu Gagare, Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office at the OSGF, approved Adeyemi’s participation in the Canada-Africa Fintech Summit scheduled for August 3–8, 2025.
The letter directed Adeyemi to register for the event and mobilise relevant stakeholders to participate in the Nigerian delegation.
According to the document, Nigeria’s participation aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda.
The letter stated that the summit would promote digital finance, strengthen bilateral trade, and attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
Part of the letter read:
“In accordance with Mr President’s Economic Strategies on the Agenda, I invite you to participate in and join the Nigerian delegation to Canada from August 3rd to 8th, 2025.”
It further added:
“This initiative will significantly contribute to shaping our economic vision, advancing development priorities, strengthening economic ties, fostering bilateral trade relations, and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to benefit the Nigerian economy.”
The letter also urged Adeyemi to register promptly and encourage other stakeholders to participate.
Presidency Maintains PFIPC Never Existed
Despite the approval letter, the Presidency has maintained that the PFIPC never existed.
Officials alleged that Adeyemi forged government documents and falsely claimed to head the agency.
The Presidency also called on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to identify and prosecute anyone who aided the alleged scheme within government institutions.
How the Alleged Scheme Operated
Presidency and civil service sources said Adeyemi allegedly exploited weaknesses in administrative procedures.
According to officials, he submitted a forged appointment letter bearing the alleged signature of Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to secure office space at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.
Once officials allocated office space, the operation appeared legitimate.
Sources said the office later operated with official letterheads, correspondence, and an online presence.
Officials also explained that appointments of Directors-General follow an established process.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) first forwards recommendations to the President.
After presidential approval, the SGF issues the official appointment letter.
A Presidency source stressed that the Chief of Staff has no authority to appoint Directors-General or Permanent Secretaries.
NIPC Raised the First Red Flag
According to Presidency insiders, officials at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) first noticed that the PFIPC’s activities overlapped with the commission’s statutory responsibilities.
What initially appeared to be an inter-agency disagreement later developed into a security investigation involving the DSS.
Sources said Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila denied knowing Adeyemi and requested a full investigation.
Security agencies subsequently arrested and arraigned Adeyemi.
However, officials admitted that prosecution slowed after the initial court proceedings.
Senate to Address N1.3 Billion Budget Controversy
Meanwhile, the Senate is expected to deliberate on the controversial N1.3 billion allocation to the PFIPC when lawmakers resume plenary on Tuesday.
Sources within the National Assembly said the allocation entered the 2026 Appropriation Act alongside other Presidency submissions.
According to one source, Adeyemi never appeared before the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service to defend the budget.
The source explained that the allocation was processed collectively with other budget items.
Consequently, lawmakers conducted no separate oversight on the agency.
Senate leaders are now expected to address the controversy to calm growing public concern and allegations of institutional complicity.
Atiku Accuses Tinubu Government of Normalising Scandals
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised the Tinubu administration over the controversy.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that governance scandals had become recurring features under the current administration.
He urged President Tinubu to disclose details of his age, educational background, and family history, describing them as issues that have generated public debate for years.
According to Atiku:
“The issue is no longer one scandal or another. The issue is the pattern. When scandals become a pattern of governance, you have become the scandal itself.”
He also referenced unresolved issues surrounding the Humanitarian Affairs scandal, alleged crude oil theft, refinery rehabilitation spending, and procurement controversies.
SERAP Demands Full Transparency
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has also intensified pressure on the National Assembly.
The organisation urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to release certified documents relating to the approval of N1,302,978,784 allocated to the PFIPC.
Civil society organisations and opposition parties have also demanded accountability.
Some groups have called for the resignation of officials allegedly linked to the controversy.
Investigation Continues
The emergence of the OSGF approval letter has complicated the Presidency’s position that the PFIPC never existed.
The document suggests that officials within government recognised Adeyemi in official communications, despite later claims that the agency was fictitious.
As investigations continue, attention has shifted to how the alleged forged appointment letter passed through several government institutions without verification.
The Senate’s expected deliberation and ongoing investigations by security agencies may determine whether additional officials face scrutiny over the controversial agency.
