Former presidential aide Fegho John Umunubo has made startling claims that he served the Nigerian government without receiving any financial compensation, following his dismissal from his role as Special Assistant on Digital and Creative Economy under the Office of the Vice President.
In a detailed Instagram post shared on Friday, Umunubo revealed that he voluntarily chose not to collect salary, bonuses, or travel budgets throughout his tenure, which began in 2023. Instead, the lawyer and media entrepreneur said he relied entirely on private sector partnerships to fund his various initiatives.
Major Achievements During Tenure
Umunubo outlined several significant contributions he made during his time in office, highlighting what he described as substantial progress in Nigeria’s creative economy sector.
Creative Stakeholders Engagement Initiative In November 2023, Umunubo organised a historic gathering at the State House Banquet Hall, bringing together over 500 creative professionals from across Nigeria for direct dialogue with Vice President Kashim Shettima. This event was described as unprecedented in terms of government engagement with the creative sector.
N5 Billion Creative Fund Partnership Perhaps his most significant achievement was the establishment of a N5 billion Creative Fund through a strategic partnership with Providus Bank Plc. The fund was designed to provide much-needed financing access to Nigeria’s creative industry, with the first phase specifically enabling movie producers and actors to secure loan facilities for producing content for streaming platforms and cinema distribution.
Over N500 Million in Grants and Sponsorships Umunubo claimed to have facilitated more than N500 million in support for the creative sector through various channels, including sponsorship of movie premieres, free cinema ticket distributions, comedy and music concerts, accelerator training programs, and grassroots business initiatives across multiple Nigerian states. He directed followers to his Instagram page for verification of the financial support details.
International Relations Support The former aide also highlighted his role in supporting diplomatic initiatives, particularly in sourcing resources from partners to fund the Brazilian Delegation’s visit to Lagos State during the Brazilian Vice President’s official visit to Nigeria. This initiative provided Brazilian business leaders with opportunities to experience Lagos culture and engage directly with Nigerian creative industry stakeholders.
Path to Dismissal
Despite these claimed achievements, Umunubo’s tenure was marked by controversy that ultimately led to his removal from office. In June 2025, he was suspended following serious allegations of abuse of office. The accusations centered on his unauthorized signing of agreements on behalf of the federal government and inappropriate interference in the affairs of agencies under the Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy.
The situation escalated when Minister Hannatu Musawa reportedly petitioned the presidency regarding Umunubo’s activities, raising concerns about his conduct and overreach of authority.
Official Termination
On September 8, 2025, the presidency officially announced Umunubo’s termination through a statement issued by Abiodun Oladunjoye, director of information and public relations at the State House. The statement was unequivocal in its language, notifying “stakeholders and constituents of the digital and creative economy, at home and abroad, as well as the general public” that Umunubo had been “disengaged with immediate effect.”
The presidency went further to issue a stern warning, cautioning that Umunubo “no longer represents this administration in any capacity” and that “anyone who interfaces with him in the name of President Tinubu’s administration does so at his or her own risk.”
Personal Controversies
Umunubo’s professional challenges extended beyond his government role. Before his suspension, he had a highly publicized conflict with filmmaker Arese Ugwu, who accused him of failing to fulfill a N10 million sponsorship commitment and using his government position to inappropriately enhance his personal influence within the creative industry.
Gratitude Despite Dismissal
In his Instagram post, Umunubo expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Deputy Chief of Staff Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia for providing him with what he called “the honour of serving Nigeria.” He emphasized his appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s creative industry growth and strengthen collaboration between government and private sector entities.
Following the official termination announcement, Umunubo maintained a philosophical stance on his Instagram, writing: “It has been my honor to serve this country and the Creative Industry. Now I am free to fly.”
Industry Impact Questions
Umunubo’s claims of serving without government compensation raise questions about the sustainability and transparency of such arrangements in public service. While his stated achievements suggest significant impact on Nigeria’s creative economy, the circumstances of his dismissal highlight ongoing challenges in government-private sector collaboration and the importance of proper authorization protocols in public administration.
The case underscores the complex dynamics between innovation in public service delivery and adherence to established governmental procedures, particularly in emerging sectors like the digital and creative economy where traditional bureaucratic frameworks may not always align with rapidly evolving industry needs.
