'Fake' Agency Claims Federal Backing for Nigerian Initiative

The National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office has presented itself as a Federal Government initiative aimed at promoting Nigerian products and supporting businesses. It claims to be a strategic initiative of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, focusing on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and stimulating industrial growth.

The organization outlines objectives such as enhancing self-reliance, reducing import dependence, and creating jobs through various national programs and trade exhibitions. It also aims to drive Nigeria's transition from a consumption-driven to a production-led economy.

The initiative was reportedly conceived in 2006 during the Nigeria-Singapore Economic Forum and formalized under Ambassador Chike Alex Anigbo (MNI) in 2017. The project initially operated as a public-private partnership with Trade Nigeria and has undergone test cases involving several countries, including Ireland, South Korea, Singapore, and Poland.