The Presidency has officially announced the immediate disengagement ofFegho John Umunubo, who served as the Special Assistant to the President on Digital and Creative Economy in the Office of the Vice President. The decision was communicated in a statement issued on Monday by Abiodun Oladunjoye,Director of Information and Public Relations at the State House. This announcement confirms earlier reports that Umunubo had been on suspension for over two months.

The official statement unequivocally notified stakeholders and constituents of the digital and creative economy, both at home and abroad, as well as the general public, that Umunubo no longer represents the administration in any capacity. It further cautioned that anyone who interfaces with him in the name of PresidentBola Tinubu’sadministration henceforth does so at their own risk. This directive emphasizes the complete severance of his ties with the government.

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While the official statement announcing his sack did not explicitly detail the findings of any investigation into his activities, multiple reports and sources indicate his dismissal stemmed from serious allegations of abuse of office. These allegations included claims that Umunubo signed unauthorized agreements on behalf of the Nigerian government, interfered with agencies under the Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, and allegedly leveraged significant government initiatives, such as the $617 millionInvestment in Digital and Creative Enterprises Programme (iDICE) and the N5 billion Creative Fund, to gain personal influence and bolster his image among creatives.

Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, was reportedly among those who petitioned the Presidency over Umunubo’s activities, accusing him of overstepping his mandate and interfering in the operations of agencies under her ministry. These internal disputes highlight a pattern of alleged misconduct that ultimately led to his removal.

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Adding to his troubles, Umunubo was embroiled in a highly publicized spat with filmmaker and author Arese Ugwu, producer of 'The Smart Money Woman' and 'Lara Unlimited'. Ugwu publicly accused him on social media of making false promises, failing to deliver on a N10 million sponsorship agreement, and entering into unauthorized deals with filmmakers. She also alleged that he exploited his position to gain the trust of industry stakeholders and elevate his personal profile.

Umunubo’s appointment was initially part of President Tinubu’s broader strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s burgeoning digital and creative sectors, which are recognized as crucial for economic diversification. Reacting to his dismissal via Instagram Story shortly after the announcement, Umunubo stated, “It has been my honor to serve this country and the Creative Industry. Now I am free to fly,” hinting at a desire to move forward.