The Presidency on Monday confirmed QEDNG’s earlier report that Fegho Umunubo, Special Assistant to the President on Digital and Creative Economy, had been on suspension, announcing that he has now been sacked with immediate effect.
Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information and Public Relations at the State House, disclosed this in a statement, warning stakeholders in the digital and creative economy to desist from dealing with Mr Umunubo in the name of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
“Stakeholders and constituents of the digital and creative economy, at home and abroad, as well as the general public are hereby notified that Fegho John Umunubo, who hitherto had served as the Special Assistant to the President on Digital and Creative Economy (Office of the Vice President), has been disengaged with immediate effect,” the statement read.
The Presidency further warned that anyone dealing with Umunubo henceforth in the name of the administration does so at their own risk.
“Kindly note that he no longer represents this administration in any capacity. Henceforth, anyone who interfaces with him in the name of President Tinubu’s administration does so at his or her own risk,” the statement added.
Umunubo’s appointment had been part of efforts to drive the growth of Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors, which are regarded as crucial to diversifying the nation’s economy.
His sack comes a week after a QEDNG report on Tuesday, September 2, which revealed that Umunubo had been on suspension for over two months amid allegations of abuse of office.
A Presidency source told QEDNG at the time, “He has been suspended for more than two months now. Not sure he is coming back.”
Among the allegations levelled against him was that he signed agreements on behalf of the Nigerian government without proper authorization.
It was also reported that Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, petitioned the presidency over Umunubo’s activities, accusing him of interfering in the operations of agencies under her ministry.
He also allegedly dangled the $617 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises Programme (iDICE) and the N5 billion Creative Fund before members of the creative community to gain influence and burnish his personal image.
While the Presidency was investigating the allegations, Umunubo became embroiled in a public spat with filmmaker Arese Ugwu, producer of The Smart Money Woman and Lara Unlimited.
Ugwu accused the presidential aide on social media of failing to fulfill a financial agreement, claiming he owed her N10 million in sponsorship. She further alleged that Umunubo used his position to gain influence within the creative industry and boost his personal profile.
The statement announcing his sack did not provide details of the findings of the investigation about his activities but made it clear that Umunubo’s disengagement was final.
