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Hafsat Sahabi Dange, a legal practitioner and entrepreneur, has denied any involvement in the establishment, administration or financial operations of the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Project currently under investigation.
Ms Dange, whose name and photographs have appeared in recent media reports concerning the project, said her association with the initiative was limited to her nomination in 2025 for the proposed position of Sokoto State Coordinator.
In a statement issued in response to the reports, Ms Dange said she neither created the structure of the project nor administered its affairs.
She also said she had no role in determining its purported governmental status.
According to her, she became associated with the initiative after being informed that she had been nominated for the Sokoto State Coordinator position.
She said she understood, based on representations made to her at the time, that the initiative was a Federal Government project.
Ms Dange added that she was unaware of any alleged lack of governmental authorisation concerning the project.
She said her conduct at the time also demonstrated that she did not present herself as a Federal Government representative or attempt to bypass established government procedures.
Ms Dange said after receiving a letter concerning her nomination addressed to the Sokoto State governor, she sought clarification on the appropriate protocol to follow in the state.
“I sought clarification regarding the appropriate governmental protocol in Sokoto rather than presenting myself as a Federal Government representative,” she said.
She added that she was advised that such communication should ordinarily pass through the appropriate official channel.
Ms Dange said she did not attempt to circumvent the process.
She further disclosed that she was informed during the subsequent inauguration that the Sokoto State Government did not recognise her nomination.
Consequently, she said, she neither assumed the position nor exercised any authority purportedly attached to it.
She added that she was later offered an alternative national position but declined the offer.
‘I collected no money, exercised no authority’
Ms Dange also denied having any financial or operational role in the project.
She said she did not collect money from members of the public or receive and administer public funds in connection with the initiative.
She also denied entering into contracts on behalf of the project, issuing government licences or approvals, recruiting personnel or exercising any governmental or operational authority.
“For clarity, I did not collect money from members of the public, receive or administer public funds, enter into contracts on behalf of the project, issue governmental licences or approvals, recruit personnel, or otherwise exercise governmental or operational authority on its behalf,” she said.
Ms Dange further said she received no financial or other improper benefit from the project.
Her clarification comes amid reports of an investigation into the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Project.
She expressed concern that the circulation of her photographs and references to her in some media reports could create an inaccurate impression about the extent of her involvement.
“I am concerned, however, that some subsequent media presentations and circulation of photographs may create an impression of involvement that does not accurately reflect my actual role or conduct,” she said.
Ms Dange urged journalists and members of the public to distinguish between being nominated for a proposed position and knowingly participating in the operation of an allegedly unauthorised or fraudulent organisation.
‘My association was limited’
Ms Dange said her involvement with the project was limited to the circumstances surrounding her nomination.
She said she remained willing to assist any competent investigative authority seeking clarification on the matter.
She also offered to provide any information or documentation required concerning her association with the initiative.
“I remain willing to cooperate fully with any competent investigative authority and to provide any information or documentation required concerning the limited circumstances of my association with the project,” she stated.
She appealed for restraint in public commentary while the investigation continues.
According to her, the actual roles and state of knowledge of individuals associated with the project should be established through appropriate investigative and legal processes.
“I therefore appeal for restraint in public commentary and for the facts concerning each individual’s actual role and state of knowledge to be allowed to emerge through the appropriate investigative and legal processes,” she said.
‘My record speaks for itself’
Ms Dange also defended her professional record, saying she had spent years building a career around integrity, corporate affairs, entrepreneurship, women’s economic empowerment, mentorship and public service.
She said her record of work and service should be considered in assessing her actual involvement in the matter.
“My record of work and service speaks for itself, and I remain committed to continuing that work,” she said.
Dange said she would continue with her professional and community-focused activities, including supporting entrepreneurs and mentoring individuals.
“I will continue to do what I have always done — learn, build, mentor, serve and contribute to the development of entrepreneurs and communities,” she said.
