The Nigerian Presidency has officially debunked widespread reports suggesting that Hadiza Bala Usman, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). These claims, which circulated widely online, alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had appointed Bala Usman to replace the incumbent SGF, Senator George Akume, who was supposedly reassigned as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

In a swift and decisive response, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, categorically dismissed the reports as “fake news.” Onanuga urged the public to exercise caution and refrain from disseminating misinformation. In a statement issued late Friday, Onanuga unequivocally stated, “There has been no change in the status of His Excellency, Senator George Akume, as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

The statement further clarified the situation by noting, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, currently in Saint Lucia, has not made any new appointments. The information circulating about Akume’s replacement is untrue. Agents of mischief fabricated it.” This strong denial comes amidst a period of intense public scrutiny and a need for verified information from official government channels.

The Presidency's clarification also addressed the premature celebrations by certain women's groups who had welcomed the earlier, now discredited, reports as a significant advancement for gender representation at the highest echelons of governance. Hadiza Bala Usman, a prominent figure known for her past role as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority and her advocacy for public sector reform, continues to serve as the President’s chief adviser on policy coordination. She has not been appointed as the SGF.

The Presidency has consistently advised Nigerians and media organizations to prioritize verifying information through official sources to prevent the amplification of false claims and maintain public trust.