- Safiu Kehinde
A video capturing moment Adeniyi Matthew, the controversial Director-General of the purportedly fictious Presidential Economic Advisory Council, receiving foreign investors in his Abuja office has surfaced online.
Adeniyi, who is currently at the centre of appointment for cash scandal involving the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, could be seen in the clip welcoming a group of foreign investors to his office.
The self-acclaimed council DG had in the clip expressed delight in partnering with the investors over an undisclosed deal.
Adeniyi was further alleged to have summoned ambassadors to official meetings, held high-level sessions with ministers.
The controversies surrounding his office had emerged from the Presidency’s denial of the existence of any council called the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, labelling Adeniyi an impostor and con artist.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said security agencies had been investigating Matthew since October 2025 following a petition by the Office of the Chief of Staff.
This was made know in a rebuttal statement issued by Onanuga after Adeniyi accused Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, of demanding billions of naira from his agency’s take-off grant.
NPO Reports that Matthew alleged that Gbajabiamila requested N27.4bn and collected N400m through intermediaries to facilitate his appointment as director-general, with an outstanding balance of N200m.
He further claimed that disagreements over the unpaid balance resulted in threats to his life, including alleged assassination attempts.
Following the claims, Matthew called for an independent investigation involving civil society groups and international organisations. He also demanded that Gbajabiamila step aside pending the outcome of the probe.