Fegho Umunubo, the Special Assistant to the Office of Vice President, Kashim Shettima on Digital and Creative Economy has sacked from office shortly after he was called out for breaching a legal contract linked to the much-publicised ₦5 billion Creative Fund initiative.
eelive.ng learnt that Umunubo’s dismissal from office comes after award-winning Nigerian filmmaker and author, Arese Ugwu, publicly accused the presidential aide of failing to honor financial commitments after promising funding support for her productions.
Ugwu, known for creating the popular TV series The Smart Money Woman, via her verified Instagram a few weeks ago to narrate her experience, revealing that she was introduced to Umunubo shortly after the launch of the ₦5 billion Creative Fund in partnership with Providus Bank in December 2023.
“They had already disbursed ₦1.5 billion to four actors and producers, so I felt like this was really going to happen,” Ugwu recounted.
“However, after submitting all requirements, communication suddenly went silent. No feedback on approvals or rejections, just vague assurances to be patient.”
Ugwu further alleged that when her team sought sponsorship for the premiere of The Smart Money Woman on YouTube, Umunubo’s office agreed to provide ₦5 million in support. However, she claimed the payment structure was unfavorable and, ultimately, the funds were not fully honored despite extensive publicity that gave the impression she had received far larger support.
“He got all the value, press mentions, photos, branding, interviews and people thought he gave me ₦100 million when in reality, I only agreed to ₦5 million. To date, the commitments remain unfulfilled,” she said.
The filmmaker voiced frustration over recurring unfulfilled government promises in the creative sector.
“I’m so tired of these announcements from the government claiming to inject millions into the creative economy, and then zilch! @feghox is still flying around the world masquerading as a political appointee, making false promises, while unable to honor the legal agreements he signed on behalf of the Vice President,” she wrote.
However, in an earlier development, a presidential source told QEDNG that Umunubo was suspended and asked to step aside amid allegations of abuse of office.
“He has been suspended for more than two months now. Not sure he is coming back,” a Presidency source said.
One of the allegations against him is that he signed agreements he was not authorised to sign on behalf of the Nigerian government.
The Director of Information & Public Relations, State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye in a statement on Monday announced the development, warning that anyone who interfaces with him in the name of President Tinubu’s administration does so at his or her own risk.
The statement reads:
DISENGAGEMENT OF FEGHO JOHN UMUNUBO
“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.
“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.
“We urge all stakeholders and constituents of the digital and creative economy to be so guided.”