Mr President, how many fake DGs can you chase?

In the past few months, Nigeria has seen the emergence of six fake agencies or actors, according to the ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu. These agencies have been operating under various aliases, with Prince George Buchi Nwabueze being one of the promoters. The latest fake agency, the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, operated from inside the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Prince George used at least five variations of his own name, which is typical for a fake agency. The President has ordered the immediate arrest of Prince George and suspended three permanent secretaries. This is the sixth fake agency to be discovered in under a year, raising concerns about the proliferation of such entities. The situation is reminiscent of previous instances of fake recruitment syndicates in the 1980s and 1990s.

History suggests that Nigeria has always had people who understand that impersonating government is a profitable business. The ICPC and EFCC have previously busted fake job-racketeering "ministries" in Abuja, but the problem persists. Implementing the Oronsaye report, which recommended reducing the number of federal parastatals, commissions, and agencies, could help address the issue by reducing hiding places for fake agencies.