News
Despite FG’s denial, documents show the accountant-general’s office posted foreign affairs officials to PFIPC
Amid the controversy over the existence of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), official documents have shown that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) approved the redeployment of some staff members from federal ministries to the agency last year.
The documents surfaced amid public outrage that trailed the federal government’s denial of the agency’s existence and the appointment of its director-general, Adeniyi Adeyemi.
A circular dated August 28, 2025, and signed by Dauda Abdulhamid, Director of Administration at the OAGF, showed that some treasury officers from the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other departments and agencies were also posted to the agency.
The permanent secretaries and heads of key federal institutions, including the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), were among the recipients of the circular approving the postings, which the OAGF said was intended to strengthen service delivery.
Affected officers were directed to submit their assumption-of-duty certificates to the Office of the Accountant-General on or before Thursday, September 11, 2025.
The OAGF had also warned that failure by affected officers to comply with the posting directive would attract sanctions under the Public Service Rules.
“I am further directed to reiterate that all officers are to note that failure to comply with this posting instruction shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Rules PSR 020602 (iv),” he wrote.
Omeh Amarachukwu Henry, a principal auditor on Grade Level 12, was posted from the foreign affairs ministry to the audit unit of the Office of the Director-General, Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), specifically to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Also redeployed from the foreign affairs ministry to the PFIPC account unit were Wakili Saidu Lampo, a senior auditor on Grade Level 10, and Ojo Akinpelu Victor, an accounts officer on Grade Level 13.
Bawa Salihu Mokwa, the spokesperson for the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), could not be immediately reached for comments.
Earlier, the president’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, denied that the agency existed under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and that Mr Adeyemi had never been appointed to head it.
Reacting, Mr Adeyemi, at a press conference, alleged that Mr Gbajabiamila had collected N400 million through a proxy and demanded an additional N200 million to secure his appointment.
The PFIPC chief questioned how the agency appeared on pages 50 and 51 of the 2026 appropriation budget and how it secured a space at the federal secretariat if it did not exist.
However, the federal government has maintained that the agency does not exist and that Mr Adeyemi is an impostor, despite documents indicating that the PFIPC had been operating. The development has generated outrage among Nigerians, who have questioned the authenticity of the Tinubu-led government’s claims.
By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria and India have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, with trade, consular matters, education and cultural cooperation taking centre stage during talks between their foreign ministers in New Delhi.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, held bilateral discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit hosted by India.
The summit is being held under the theme, “Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, the minister’s Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Dr Magnus Eze, said the welfare of Nigerians living in India was among the major issues discussed by the two ministers.
A key concern was the situation of Nigerians who have overstayed their visas. Odumegwu-Ojukwu appealed to the Indian authorities for an extension of the existing amnesty arrangement to allow affected Nigerians to return home voluntarily without facing penalties.
The ministers also discussed the possibility of concluding a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
The proposed agreement would establish a framework for the humane and orderly transfer of eligible prisoners between Nigeria and India.
On economic relations, the two sides examined opportunities for increasing trade and investment, while stressing the importance of building stronger and mutually beneficial economic partnerships.
Education and cultural exchanges also featured in the discussions, with both countries recognising the sectors as important tools for strengthening people-to-people relations.
Greater cooperation in these areas, the statement said, is expected to promote mutual understanding while creating more opportunities for citizens of Nigeria and India.
The meeting formed part of Nigeria’s efforts to use its participation in the BRICS platform to strengthen bilateral partnerships, attract greater economic opportunities and advance South-South cooperation.
Nigeria’s engagement with India comes as both countries seek to broaden their areas of cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic relations, particularly in trade, investment, education and people-to-people exchanges.
By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria is seeking to tap into India’s experience in technology and youth engagement as Vice-President Kashim Shettima leads the country’s delegation to the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Vice President Shettima is representing President Bola Tinubu at the summit, where Nigeria is expected to pursue opportunities in trade, investment, agriculture, technology, manufacturing and industrial development.
The high-level Nigerian delegation includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; and Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal.
Nigeria became a BRICS partner country in January 2025 and has since used the platform to strengthen South-South cooperation and expand economic and diplomatic relations with major emerging economies.
A major focus of Nigeria’s engagement at the summit will be India’s progress in technology, artificial intelligence and the digital economy, particularly its approach to harnessing its large youthful population.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said India’s experience offered important lessons for Nigeria, especially in agriculture, the digital economy, artificial intelligence and the participation of women in the technology sector.
She said Nigeria was determined to learn from India’s expertise and its “greatest strength” in engaging young people to promote innovation, economic growth and inclusive development.
The minister stressed that India’s ability to deploy technology while creating opportunities for its youthful population could provide useful ideas for Nigeria as it seeks to expand its digital economy and create more opportunities for its young people.
Beyond technology and youth development, Nigeria is expected to use its participation in the BRICS Summit to strengthen economic ties with India and other emerging economies.
The country will also seek to attract investment and expand cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing and industrial development as it explores ways of turning its BRICS partnership into tangible economic opportunities.
Nigeria’s participation underscores the Federal Government’s broader push to deepen engagement with emerging economies and strengthen partnerships capable of supporting technology-driven growth and sustainable development.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully aware of his “Rainbow Coalition” and all his political activities.
Wike made the declaration on Tuesday night while speaking on Arise News Prime Time.
“There is nothing that I do that I don’t tell Mr. President,” he stated.
The FCT Minister said he was mobilizing support across party lines for the reelection of President Tinubu in 2027 under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition.”
He has consistently maintained that his support is solely for the President, and not for the All Progressives Congress (APC), as a party.
Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), said his actions are not done in secret, stressing that the President is carried along at all times.
Wike also said he is not answerable to governors elected on the platform of the APC.
“I’m not answerable to APC governors.
“If people fail to learn from other people, they don’t grow. I took 31 days to commission projects in the FCT and they are not happy,” he added.
Turning to the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, Wike said: “Hope Uzodimma should be lucky that I’m not in the APC. Hope fears for nothing.
“When I look at the APC governors who held the press conference, I see some people who are smart but politically lazy. Hope Uzodinma was the governor of Imo State, yet President Tinubu could not secure 10% of the votes there.
“Hope in his own state, Imo state, he was Governor. President Tinubu didn’t get 10% votes in the 2023 elections, but he took two senators and Labour Party took one senator. Is he saying Imo people were confused, or were they not confused?
“The governors of Osun, Anambra and Abia States are supporting the President reelection. Won’t they still support the candidates of their parties in other elections? So where is the confusion?”
Speaking about Rivers State, the Minister said; Becauseof our rainbow coalition, we no longer have Rivers of blood. There is no litigation on party candidates in Rivers State, unlike Imo State.”
When asked where else in the South-South the President can win, the Minister replied: “That can happen in Bayelsa State. The whole PDP there is working for the President. The founder of the NDC is not the founder of Bayelsa.”
“As I sit here today, I will tell you that the President will win in the FCT,” he added.
Nigeria-India Deepen Ties as Trade, Consular Issues Dominate BRICS Talks
Nigeria Eyes India’s Tech Edge, Youth Power at BRICS Summit
Wike: Tinubu privy to my rainbow coalition, says I’m not answerable to APC governors
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