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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Eromo Egbejule in Abidjan

Furore in Nigeria over fake federal agency set up in government HQ

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in glasses and a traditional cap sits at a desk with a microphone, wearing white robes
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an investigation into how the fake agency came to be. Photograph: Gbemiga Olamikan/AP

A fictitious federal entity that was allocated 1.3bn naira (£700,000) in Nigeria’s 2026 budget has precipitated a political storm in Africa’s largest democracy in the run-up to a general election set for January.

The fake agency came to light last October when Femi Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff, wrote to the police alleging that his signature, along with official seals and reference numbers, had been forged by Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who was claiming to have been appointed by the presidency to head the presidential foreign intervention promotion council (PFIPC).

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