Fake agency originated from Buhari's govt - Budget Office tells House of Reps investigation panel

Budget Office Tells House Probe Panel: Alleged Fake Agency Originated Under Buhari Administration

Nigeria's Budget Office has told the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) that the processes surrounding the agency did not begin under the current administration but originated during the government of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The revelation came during the committee's ongoing investigation into how the PFIPC, an agency now alleged to lack legal backing, found its way into the 2026 federal budget with an appropriation of about ₦1.32 billion.

Budget Office Defends Its Role

Appearing before the House panel, Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, maintained that the agency neither created the council nor approved its establishment.

According to him, the Budget Office merely performed its statutory responsibility by assessing the fiscal implications of documents and approvals submitted by relevant government authorities.

Yakubu stressed that the office:

Did not establish the PFIPC.

Did not assign its budget code.

Did not approve recruitment or staffing.

Did not issue financial clearance for any expenditure.

He added that although funds were appropriated in the 2026 budget, no money was released or spent because the necessary legal and financial approvals were never completed.

"No Kobo Was Released"

The Budget Office boss informed lawmakers that despite budgetary provisions for personnel, overheads and capital expenditure, the council never accessed public funds.

According to him:

No financial clearance was issued.

No staff were lawfully recruited.

No salaries were paid.

No procurement process was completed.

No treasury warrants or cash backing were approved.

He insisted that Nigeria's financial control mechanisms prevented any public funds from being disbursed to the council.

House Committee Continues Investigation

The House Ad-Hoc Committee, chaired by Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, is investigating how the PFIPC was included in the national budget despite questions surrounding its legal existence.

Lawmakers are also probing the authenticity of documents used to justify the agency's establishment after concerns emerged that key documents lacked official legislative endorsements and presidential assent.

The committee has indicated that its investigation is now focused on determining how allegedly forged documents entered official government processes and identifying those responsible.

What Happens Next?

The House panel is expected to hear from additional government officials, including the Accountant-General of the Federation and other relevant agencies, as it works toward concluding its investigation.

The outcome of the probe could determine whether administrative failures, document forgery or other irregularities led to the inclusion of the controversial agency in Nigeria's 2026 Appropriation Act.