Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said investigations by the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission have cleared him of wrongdoing in the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
Gbajabiamila made the disclosure on Saturday at his 2026 Gbaja Mega Empowerment programme in Surulere, Lagos, where he reflected on the allegations and the scrutiny he faced over the activities of the purported agency.
He said the investigations conducted by the relevant authorities found no evidence of wrongdoing on his part, adding that investigative reports had been made available to the public.
The controversy followed the activities of Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC and claimed that Gbajabiamila had appointed him.
The Presidency had maintained that the purported council did not legally exist, while President Tinubu directed an investigation into how the organisation operated within government structures.
Gbajabiamila appeared before the ICPC in July 2026 as part of the investigation. At the time, the commission said he had voluntarily honoured an invitation from its investigators and was not arrested. The ICPC said the investigation was aimed at establishing how the purported organisation had operated from the Federal Secretariat for an extended period.
The House of Representatives also conducted its own investigation. In its preliminary findings released in September, the ad hoc committee said it found no evidence that Gbajabiamila authorised, established or participated in the activities of the purported council.
According to the committee, documentary evidence showed that the Chief of Staff took steps to alert security and investigative agencies after concerns about the organisation were brought to his attention.
The committee also found that an appointment letter allegedly bearing Gbajabiamila’s authority and signature was fabricated. It said the letter was not issued by the Presidency and that its letterhead, reference number and administrative features were inconsistent with authentic State House correspondence.
The panel further reported that the purported PFIPC had no valid Act of the National Assembly, executive order or other lawful instrument establishing it as a federal institution.
Despite the findings concerning Gbajabiamila, the House investigation identified several issues requiring further investigation, including alleged forged government documents, questionable use of government facilities and official-looking number plates, as well as financial transactions involving individuals linked to the purported organisation.
At Saturday’s empowerment programme, Gbajabiamila said the experience had demonstrated some of the difficulties associated with public service. He urged young Nigerians interested in public office not to be discouraged by criticism or scrutiny.
The event also focused on economic empowerment for residents of Surulere. According to Gbajabiamila, approximately 5,000 people benefited from the programme, which was valued at about ₦1.15 billion.
The beneficiaries included people receiving cash grants for small businesses, as well as recipients of vehicles and other equipment. The package included 61 electric vehicles, 50 electric tricycles, 60 minibuses and 100 laptops, alongside other vehicles and support items.
Gbajabiamila said the programme was deliberately postponed from June to allow organisers to verify applications submitted through wards, trade associations and community groups.
He also highlighted the inclusion of electric vehicles as part of efforts to promote cleaner transportation and create new income opportunities for residents.
While Gbajabiamila has welcomed the findings clearing him, the broader PFIPC investigation remains significant because the House committee said its preliminary inquiry uncovered evidence of alleged document forgery and weaknesses in government verification systems.
The committee said further investigations would be required to establish individual responsibility and determine whether additional persons should face prosecution. It also stressed that its findings were preliminary and that criminal guilt remains a matter for the courts.
