Fresh documents show that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation cleared Adeniyi Adeyemi, the disowned director-general of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, to attend Canada's Fintech Summit in August 2025. The approval came from Engr.
Nadungu Gagare, permanent secretary in the political and economic affairs office at the OSGF.
The development deepens the controversy surrounding the PFIPC, which the presidency has insisted never existed. The presidency previously alleged that Adeyemi fabricated letters and claims, and called on the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to identify and prosecute government officials who allegedly assisted in the scheme.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday criticised President Bola Tinubu's administration for allowing scandals to become routine rather than isolated incidents. He said the pattern now reflected poorly on Nigeria's governance.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, also demanded that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas release certified copies of all documents related to the approval of over N1.3 billion to the PFIPC in the 2026 budget. SERAP wants transparency on how the money was allocated to an organisation that doesn't exist.
The OSGF document, signed by Gagare on behalf of Secretary to the Government Oluseni Keyamo, directed Adeyemi to register for and involve other stakeholders in the Canada-Africa Fintech Summit. The letter stated the summit would highlight strategic roles in digital finance and technology.
"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," the document read. It stressed that Nigeria's presence would strengthen economic ties, foster bilateral trade relations, and attract foreign direct investment.
The OSGF instructed Adeyemi to seek more information from Gagare's office and the summit's organising group. The letter urged him to register urgently and bring other stakeholders into the programme.
The latest document has intensified the dispute between Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and Adeyemi. Questions now surround why the OSGF approved travel for someone heading an organisation the presidency claims never existed.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said the presidency cannot escape accountability over the claims made by Gbajabiamila. The opposition party suggested the administration must clarify its role in the PFIPC saga.
The PFIPC controversy has exposed deep divisions within Nigeria's top government offices. Officials have traded accusations over who authorised the council's establishment and the subsequent budget allocation.
