A former permanent secretary has said Nigeria’s civil service failed to spot a fake presidential agency because of weak internal checks, according to Channels Television. The comment follows the discovery of the unregistered office, which the country’s anti-corruption body, the ICPC, has labelled as illegitimate.
The former official’s remarks, reported by Channels Television on Sunday, come after President Bola Tinubu suspended three permanent secretaries over the matter. The so-called “Made-in-Nigeria” agency had been operating as though it were a government body, but the ICPC said it was not genuine.
The man claiming to coordinate the agency has pushed back, insisting the office is legitimate. According to Punch Newspapers, he has provided more documents to back his case. Premium Times Nigeria reports that he defended the office and posted paperwork after the ICPC’s “fake agency” claim. TheCable adds that he shared an appointment letter he says was issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s office.
BBC coverage has also highlighted the confusion, asking who is behind the new fake agency and noting the president’s suspension of the three senior officials. The situation has raised questions about how such an office could operate without being detected by the bureaucracy.
The former permanent secretary’s explanation points to a breakdown in verification procedures, according to Channels Television. The civil service, he suggested, did not do enough to confirm the agency’s status before it gained any traction.
What to watch next: whether the suspended permanent secretaries face further disciplinary action and whether the coordinator’s documents hold up under scrutiny.
