The Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Chiamaka Nnake, has distanced herself from the activities of the controversial Made-in-Nigeria Project Office, saying she only became involved after the state was asked to nominate a focal person for the agency.
Nnake said she was nominated by Governor Chukwuma Soludo in February 2026 to serve as Anambra State’s focal person after the office, which she believed operated under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, requested the nomination.
She explained that focal persons from the 36 states were subsequently added to a WhatsApp group where they discussed activities of the office.
The SSG made the clarification in a statement on Saturday titled, “Clarification on the ‘Made-in-Nigeria Agency’ and my role as State Focal Person,” following the controversy surrounding the alleged fake federal agency.
According to her, the office later wrote to the Anambra State Government requesting that it host the South-East Made-in-Nigeria Fair.
She said the request was approved and an inaugural meeting was held about two weeks ago, with the National Coordinator of the office in attendance.
Nnake said preparations had commenced for the event, which was scheduled to hold in Anambra from December 2 to 5, 2026.
She said the state government became concerned after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission reportedly described the office as a fake federal agency.
The SSG said the development suggested that the state may have been misled into preparing to host the maiden South-East Made-in-Nigeria Fair.
Nnake stressed that her involvement was limited strictly to the official interactions surrounding her nomination as state focal person and the proposed fair.
She said, “Beyond these official interactions and engagements, she has no knowledge of, involvement in, or connection with any other activities, claims, or developments attributed to the said office.
“I therefore wish to make it clear that anything beyond the above-mentioned official interactions is entirely outside my knowledge and involvement.”
The controversy followed the ICPC’s investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, which reportedly led to the discovery of the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office.
The commission has raised questions about the legitimacy and authorisation of the office, while its National Coordinator, George Nwabueze, has consistently denied wrongdoing and insisted that the project office is legitimate and linked to the OSGF.
Nnake’s clarification is the latest development in the widening controversy over the status of the office and the officials and individuals who interacted with it.
