You almost had a big federal fair happening in Anambra State this December, but thank goodness the anti-corruption commission, ICPC, stepped in. Turns out, the whole 'Made-in-Nigeria Agency' touting an address in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) was just… well, fake.
The state government, led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, was deep into preparations for the South-East edition of this Made-in-Nigeria Fair, scheduled for December 2nd to 5th, 2026. The whole thing unravelled when the ICPC got wind of the operation and declared the agency a fraud.
How did Anambra even get here? It all started in January 2026 when Governor Soludo received a letter. This letter, supposedly from the Made-in-Nigeria Office under the SGF, requested the state to nominate a focal person. Following this, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, was appointed to this role. She found herself in a WhatsApp group with focal persons from the other 36 states, all seemingly working together.
The same office then reached out to the state government, proposing that Anambra host the South-East regional fair. Approval was given. About two weeks ago, an inaugural meeting took place with the supposed National Coordinator of this fake agency in attendance. The State Committee, under Mrs. Nnake's purview, had already dived headfirst into the planning.
Mrs. Nnake is making it crystal clear that her involvement was strictly through official channels. In a statement titled 'Clarification on the ‘Made-in-Nigeria Agency’ and My Role as State Focal Person,' she emphasized that any dealings were confined to the interactions initiated by the state government. She stated plainly, 'Beyond these official interactions and engagements, I have no knowledge of, involvement in, or connection with any other activities, claims or developments attributed to the said office.' She added that anything outside these official exchanges is 'entirely outside my knowledge and involvement.' It seems the state government was working with a ghost outfit, and thankfully, the ghostbusters at ICPC showed up.
This whole drama highlights how easily even state governments can be hoodwinked by sophisticated-sounding fake federal parastatals. The ambition to promote made-in-Nigeria goods is commendable. However, the methods employed by this fictitious agency were clearly designed to deceive. It’s a stark reminder that due diligence is essential, especially when significant state resources and reputations are on the line for events that never had legitimate backing.