Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday said investigations by the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, DSS, and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, cleared him of wrongdoing over allegations linked to his office.
Gbajabiamila made the disclosure in Lagos during the 2026 Gbaja Mega Empowerment programme, where residents of his Surulere constituency received electric vehicles, minibuses, tricycles, laptops and financial support for small businesses.
The Chief of Staff reflected on the allegations against him and said the period of investigation subjected him to intense public scrutiny. He expressed appreciation to people who supported him while the matter was being investigated.
He maintained that the allegations against him were eventually found to have no basis after the relevant agencies examined the issues. He also said the reports from the investigations had been made available to the public.
The development followed an investigation into the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC. Gbajabiamila appeared before the ICPC in July as part of the investigation into the organisation.
The ICPC had earlier confirmed that Gbajabiamila was invited to provide a statement in connection with the ongoing PFIPC investigation.
In its later interim findings, the anti-corruption agency said it found that the purported PFIPC was not established by any valid government instrument and that the person presenting himself as its director-general had not been appointed by the Federal Government. The ICPC also said it found no evidence that federal funds had been approved or released to the organisation.
Gbajabiamila said the experience showed some of the difficulties that can come with public service, particularly for people seeking political positions. He urged young Nigerians interested in public office not to be discouraged by criticism or investigations.
He also thanked President Tinubu for allowing the investigation to proceed before taking any action on the allegations. According to him, the President chose to allow the relevant authorities to complete their work rather than act on claims before they were properly examined.
The Chief of Staff said the allegations had not affected his commitment to his official duties and maintained that attempts to distract him through accusations or the misuse of his name would not stop him from carrying out his responsibilities.
He also warned members of the public against people allegedly using his name to defraud others or falsely claiming to represent him, saying such activities would eventually attract legal consequences.
Speaking on the empowerment programme, Gbajabiamila said about 5,000 residents benefited from the initiative, which was valued at about N1.15 billion.
The beneficiaries included people who received cash grants to support their businesses, while others received vehicles and equipment intended to improve their income and livelihoods.
He said 3,905 beneficiaries received N250,000 each, while another 348 people received N500,000 each. The programme also provided 61 electric vehicles, 50 electric tricycles, 60 minibuses and 100 laptops.
Other items distributed included four Toyota HiAce buses with 18-seat capacity, two security patrol vehicles, an ambulance and two additional vehicles.
Gbajabiamila explained that the empowerment programme was originally planned for June but was postponed to allow organisers to properly verify applications submitted through wards, community groups and trade associations.
He said the delay was necessary to ensure that the assistance reached the intended beneficiaries and that no person received support meant for another applicant.
The Chief of Staff also spoke about the Gajarai transportation service, which he said continues to provide free rides for students and reduced fares for elderly residents.
He said the inclusion of electric cars, tricycles and other electric-powered vehicles in the empowerment programme was part of an effort to promote cleaner transportation while creating new business opportunities for residents.
Gbajabiamila further announced plans for electric vehicle charging stations, saying the facilities would support the growing use of electric vehicles and help reduce transportation and operating costs.
He also linked the move to the wider development of electric and compressed natural gas, CNG, vehicles in Nigeria, saying the growth of the sector could create jobs, lower transport costs and improve air quality.
Earlier, Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat said the All Progressives Congress, APC, remained focused on maintaining contact with residents and responding to their needs at the grassroots.
Hamzat said the relationship between elected officials and citizens should continue beyond election periods, adding that regular engagement with communities was important to the party’s activities.
He said the empowerment programme reflected the party’s approach of supporting residents through elected representatives and community-based initiatives.