The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have formally stated they have no role in the creation or management of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC). These statements were delivered during a House of Representatives ad-hoc committee inquiry into the council’s legal status.
Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, the Head of the Civil Service, clarified that her office lacks the authority to form government agencies. Although the PFIPC requested approval for an organizational structure in August 2025, the application was denied due to a lack of necessary documentation. Furthermore, the OHCSF confirmed it did not deploy civil servants to the body nor provide it with office space.
Investigations also revealed that the council submitted documents as its enabling legislation that failed to meet standard legal requirements. The OHCSF noted that any oversight regarding the council’s establishment should fall under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Separately, the Central Bank of Nigeria confirmed that two foreign currency accounts opened for the council are currently inactive with zero balances. Hamisu Abdullahi, a director representing the CBN, stated that while the accounts were opened at the request of the Accountant-General’s office, they were never functional because no authorized signatories were ever provided. Consequently, no financial transactions have occurred.
In response, Hon. Abdulmalik Danga, who chairs the House ad-hoc committee, has instructed the CBN to submit comprehensive records regarding all accounts connected to the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council to ensure a thorough investigation.
