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A corporate lawyer and business development expert, Hafsat Sahabi Dange, has dissociated herself from the activities of the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Project, which was recently identified by the Federal Government as a fake agency operating within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
In a recent revelation that stunned the nation, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) described the organisation as a fictitious government office operating without government approval.
In a statement by Dange in which she expressed dismay over the appearance of her name and photographs in publications relating to ongoing investigation into the project, the lawyer explained that her association with the project arose in 2025 when she was informed that she had been nominated for a proposed position of Sokoto State Coordinator.
“I did not establish the project, create its structure, administer its affairs, or determine its purported governmental status,” she affirmed.
Dange said she understood from the representations made to her that she was being considered to participate in a Federal Government initiative.
“I had no knowledge of any alleged lack of governmental authorisation concerning the project. Indeed, when I received a letter concerning my nomination addressed to the Governor of Sokoto State, I sought clarification regarding the appropriate governmental protocol in sokoto rather than presenting myself as a Federal Government representative,” she said.
The statement made available to Daily Sun indicated that Dange was later advised that such communication should ordinarily follow the appropriate official channel, and she did not attempt to circumvent that process.
She disclosed that at the subsequent inauguration, she was informed that the Sokoto State Government did not recognise her nomination.
“I did not assume the position or exercise any purported governmental authority. I was subsequently offered an alternative national position, which I declined.
“For clarity, I did not collect money from members of the public, receive or administer public funds, enter into contracts on behalf of the project, issue governmental licences or approvals, recruit personnel, or otherwise exercise governmental or operational authority on its behalf.”
Dange, a well-known entrepreneur and leadership coach, affirmed that she did not receive any financial or other improper benefit from the project.
“I remain willing to cooperate fully with any competent investigative authority and to provide any information or documentation required concerning the limited circumstances of my association with the project.
“I am concerned, however, that some subsequent media presentations and circulation of photographs may create an impression of involvement that does not accurately reflect my actual role or conduct.”
She urged the media and members of the public to distinguish between being nominated for a proposed position and knowingly participating in the operation of an alleged unauthorised or fraudulent organisation.
“I have spent many years building a professional life founded on integrity, corporate affairs, entrepreneurship, women’s economic empowerment, mentorship, and public service. My record of work and service speaks for itself, and I remain committed to continuing that work.
“I therefore appeal for restraint in public commentary and for the facts concerning each individual’s actual role and state of knowledge to be allowed to emerge through the appropriate investigative and legal processes.
“I will continue to do what I have always done, learn, build, mentor, serve, and contribute to the development of entrepreneurs and communities,” Dange assured.
