Claim: Hadiza Bala Usman appointed as Secretary to the Government of the Federation

Source: Social media

Verdict: False

Researched by Hamza Ibrahim

On June 28, 2025, news circulated in Nigeria’s social media space that Hadiza Bala Usman, the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy and Coordination, had been appointed as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Hadiza Bala Usman, who once served as the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, was captured in video reports and photos with claims that she had replaced George Akume, former Governor of Benue State, who is the current SGF.

According to one post, the former governor was due to be announced as the new national chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) after Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje resigned as Chairman on Friday, June 27.

Accounts that published the post included: Sagir Baba Nationalist, Mohammed Yahaya Haji Bee, FreshReporters News, TJNEWSNG.COM, on Facebook and folarin_kenny, ibhas1, Big_Sinudo on X.

FACT-CHECK: Hadiza Bala Usman was not appointed new SGF by President Tinubu

This fact-check will verify whether Bala Usman has been appointed as SGF.

Fact-check:

FactSpace Nigeria conducted searches on government platforms, including the Presidency and the Ministry of Information, but found no such appointment reported.

Furthermore, no credible media outlet had published any such story, which would have been a major political development in the country.

Contrary to the viral claim, the presidency confirmed that George Akume remained at post as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, called the viral post ‘fake news’, urging the public to disregard it.

In a press release issued on June 28, 2025, Bayo Onanuga said: “There has been no change in the status of His Excellency, Senator George Akume, as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“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.”