The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, has explained how the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, known as PFIPC, appeared in Nigeria’s 2026 federal budget despite not being recognized as a legitimate government agency. His remarks come as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the agency’s inclusion in the national appropriation.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Adeniyi said the PFIPC was introduced into government processes through official looking documents that were accepted by some institutions without thorough verification. He said the incident exposed weaknesses in administrative procedures and highlighted the need for stronger checks across government agencies.
According to the Customs chief, the agency presented itself as a presidential initiative and obtained recognition from some public institutions after submitting documents bearing official insignia and references. He said the documents created the impression that the organization had received the necessary government approvals, allowing it to interact with ministries, departments and agencies.
Adeniyi explained that the Nigeria Customs Service had no role in creating the council or facilitating its activities. He said Customs only became aware of the organization after concerns were raised publicly over its legal status and the budget allocation it received in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The controversy emerged after it was revealed that PFIPC had been allocated more than 1.3 billion in the 2026 federal budget. The Presidency later stated that the council was never established by the Federal Government and described it as a non existent agency. The disclosure prompted widespread scrutiny of how the allocation was approved.
The Comptroller General said government institutions must strengthen internal verification processes before recognizing new agencies or acting on official correspondence. He noted that agencies seeking government recognition should have clear legal backing, proper documentation and evidence of formal approval before being allowed to conduct official business.
The House of Representatives has since launched an investigation into the circumstances that led to the agency’s inclusion in the budget. Lawmakers are examining whether government officials failed to follow established procedures during the preparation of the appropriation documents and whether any public officers played a role in facilitating the process.
The Senate has also responded to the controversy, maintaining that the National Assembly did not create the agency. Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said lawmakers considered the budget proposals submitted by the executive and were not responsible for establishing government institutions included in those submissions.
Meanwhile, the individual identified as the Director General of PFIPC, Adeniyi Adeyemi, has denied any wrongdoing. He maintains that the council was lawfully constituted, although the Federal Government has challenged that claim. Adeyemi is currently facing criminal charges related to alleged forgery, impersonation and obtaining official benefits under false pretences. The allegations remain before the court, and he has pleaded not guilty.
The PFIPC controversy has intensified calls for stronger safeguards in Nigeria’s budget preparation process. As investigations continue, officials say the findings are expected to determine how the agency secured a place in the 2026 budget and whether reforms are needed to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
