Reps Summon Foreign Affairs Minister and NSA Over PFIPC Legitimacy

The House of Representatives' ad hoc committee is investigating the alleged establishment of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) without legal backing. In this context, the committee has summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to clarify how the council operated amid concerns regarding its legitimacy. The summons follows a memorandum from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, which indicated that the ministry had no official dealings with the PFIPC. Instead, the ministry sought clarification from the NSA after identifying irregularities in the council's correspondence.

During a committee session, the ministry's permanent secretary presented a letter dated July 21, 2026, detailing that Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claimed to be the director-general of the PFIPC, approached the ministry three times for collaboration on a World Investment Summit in Nigeria. The ministry received these requests on June 26, 2025; August 5, 2025; and June 5, 2026, but did not act on them due to discrepancies in the letters and ongoing investigations into the PFIPC's legitimacy.

The ministry's letter also revealed that it had contacted the NSA on October 16, 2025, for clarification regarding Prince Adeyemi's status. The NSA responded on November 26, 2025, confirming that Adeyemi was unknown to any federal government office. The ministry emphasized that it had no relationship with the PFIPC and did not participate in any diplomatic engagements or discussions held by the council.

Committee member Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata questioned why the ministry did not take stronger measures after confirming the council's lack of legal recognition. He asked whether the ministry communicated to Adeyemi that the PFIPC was illegal and that further interaction should cease. The committee chairman noted that while the ministry acted appropriately by referring the matter to the NSA, the security office must now account for its actions following this discovery.

Lawmakers also raised concerns about how the PFIPC managed to engage foreign diplomats despite the ministry's claims of no dealings with the council. One lawmaker recalled seeing a summit organized by the PFIPC that involved over 30 embassies. The committee chairman highlighted the weaknesses in coordination among government institutions, stating that it was unacceptable for a non-existent agency to conduct diplomatic engagements.

The Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs acknowledged that some organizations occasionally bypass established diplomatic channels, leading to direct missions without the ministry's permission. He reiterated the importance of following proper communication channels.

While the committee commended the ministry for its cooperation, it made it clear that the investigation is ongoing. The chairman reminded the ministry that the Minister of Foreign Affairs is expected to appear before the committee on Thursday, and the NSA will also be invited to address questions arising from the ministry's testimony.