Dangote’s Petition Against NMDPRA MD Ahmed
In a
dramatic escalation of tensions within Nigeria’s petroleum sector, Aliko
Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, has formally submitted a petition to
the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)
against Engr.
Farouk Ahmed, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The petition, filed on December 16, 2025, through Dangote’s lawyer Ogwu Onoja (SAN), accuses Ahmed of corruption, abuse of office, and financial impropriety.
Dangote’s allegations center on claims that Ahmed spent over $7 million to pay for the education of his four children in Switzerland, covering six years of tuition upfront.
According to Dangote, this expenditure far exceeds Ahmed’s lifetime
earnings as a public servant in Nigeria, raising suspicions of embezzlement and
diversion of public funds.
The
petition details the schools attended by Ahmed’s children and the amounts
allegedly paid, urging the ICPC to investigate and prosecute the matter under
Section 19 of the ICPC Act, which prescribes imprisonment for corrupt
enrichment without an option of fine.
The
industrialist argues that Ahmed has used his position at the NMDPRA to divert
public resources for personal gain, a situation that has sparked protests and
public outrage.
Dangote
insists that the allegations are not only a matter of personal misconduct but
also a threat to Nigeria’s petroleum sector, accusing the regulator of
frustrating efforts to improve local refining by continuing to issue import
licenses for petroleum products.
The House
of Representatives has intervened, summoning both Dangote and Ahmed to appear
before its Joint Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream).
Lawmakers
have asked both parties to refrain from public commentary to prevent further
destabilization of the sector. The committees aim to uncover the root causes of
the dispute, which dates back to the commencement of operations at the Dangote
Refinery.
This
conflict has a long history. In 2024, Ahmed publicly questioned the quality of
products from local refiners, including Dangote Refinery, claiming they were
inferior to imported alternatives. He also accused Dangote of attempting to
monopolize Nigeria’s energy supply.
Dangote
refuted these claims, but the dispute intensified, leading to calls in the
House of Representatives for Ahmed’s suspension. The NMDPRA later insisted that
the refinery was still in its pre-commissioning stage and had not been granted
an operational license.
Dangote’s
latest petition marks a turning point in this protracted battle. He has vowed
to provide evidence to support his claims, emphasizing that Nigerians deserve
transparency regarding the sources of wealth of public officials. He contrasted
Ahmed’s alleged lavish spending with the struggles of ordinary Nigerians,
particularly in Sokoto State, where many parents cannot afford basic school
fees.
The ICPC
now faces mounting pressure to act decisively. The case has become a litmus
test for Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions and the credibility of
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
As the
controversy unfolds, the outcome will likely shape public confidence in
regulatory oversight and the future of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry
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