NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed Repositioning Petroleum Sector, Corruption Allegations Baseless — CSOs
…Accuse Dangote of Undermining Regulatory Independence
More than 50 civil society organisations (CSOs) have publicly defended the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed, dismissing corruption allegations attributed to the Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Aliko Dangote, as unsubstantiated.
The CSOs made their position known on Monday at a joint press conference in Abuja, where they described the allegations as lacking evidence and said they appeared aimed at discrediting the leadership of the NMDPRA amid regulatory decisions affecting Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the Convener, Comrade Ibrahim Bello—also National Coordinator of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI)—said the organisations had reviewed the allegations and found no factual basis to support claims of corruption against the NMDPRA chief.
According to Bello, the coalition’s assessment showed that Ahmed’s tenure has focused on strengthening regulatory transparency, promoting competition, and ensuring compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“Our review indicates that the leadership of the NMDPRA under Mr. Farouk Ahmed has prioritised fairness, efficiency and competition in the downstream sector, in line with the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act,” Bello said.
The CSOs also addressed claims attributed to Dangote alleging that the NMDPRA CEO paid $5 million in school fees for his children in Switzerland. They said no verifiable evidence had been presented to support the allegation.
The coalition cautioned that making serious allegations through the media without following due process could undermine public confidence in regulatory institutions and affect ongoing reforms in the petroleum sector.
Several civil society leaders endorsed the position, including representatives of Citizens Watch for Good Governance, the Accountability and Democratic Values Initiative, the Nigerian Coalition Against Corruption and Waste, the Voice of Conscience Foundation, and other organisations from different regions of the country.
According to the CSOs, criticism directed at the NMDPRA leadership may be connected to the agency’s enforcement of regulatory standards and its resistance to practices perceived as capable of limiting competition in the downstream petroleum industry.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability and urged individuals or corporate entities with grievances to pursue established legal and institutional channels rather than engaging in public accusations.
They called on Nigerians to exercise caution regarding unproven allegations, urged stakeholders in the petroleum sector to respect regulatory institutions, and appealed to the Federal Government to continue supporting the independence of regulatory agencies.
The CSOs concluded by expressing confidence in Ahmed’s leadership, stating that his actions have strengthened regulatory credibility, enhanced stakeholder confidence, and safeguarded the national interest in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector.
