…Accuse Dangote of undermining regulatory independence*
Over 50 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Monday strongly defended the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed, dismissing allegations of corruption linked to Mr. Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, as unsubstantiated and lacking evidence.
The coalition addressed the media at a joint press conference in Abuja, describing the claims as an attempt to discredit NMDPRA’s leadership due to its firm stance against monopolistic practices in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
Speaking for the coalition, Comrade Ibrahim Bello, Convener and National Coordinator of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI), said internal reviews found no basis for the corruption allegations.
“Our findings show that Mr. Farouk Ahmed has not engaged in any corrupt practice. He has been repositioning the downstream sector to promote fairness, competition, and efficiency, while ensuring no single entity dominates the industry to the detriment of Nigerians,” Bello stated.
He added that under Ahmed, NMDPRA has adhered to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), enhancing regulatory transparency and expanding opportunities for investors in the sector.
The coalition also refuted claims that Ahmed allegedly paid $5 million as school fees for his children in Switzerland, noting that no verifiable evidence was presented.
According to the CSOs, making serious allegations in the media without due process poses a threat to Nigeria’s regulatory institutions and reform agenda.
Prominent members endorsing the coalition’s position included Hajiya Fatima Sani (Citizens Watch for Good Governance), Barr. Chukwudi Eze (Accountability and Democratic Values Initiative), Dr. Ngozi Okeke (Nigerian Coalition Against Corruption and Waste), Pastor Emmanuel Adebayo (Voice of Conscience Foundation), and several other leaders from civil society and regional organisations.
The coalition stated that the attacks on NMDPRA stem from its refusal to compromise regulatory standards or allow any single company to dominate the downstream petroleum sector.
“We believe these allegations are aimed at intimidating the regulator because of its insistence on fairness, competition, and value for Nigerians,” the group said.
The CSOs urged individuals and corporate entities with grievances to follow proper legal channels rather than resort to media trials. They also called on Nigerians to treat the unproven allegations cautiously, urged stakeholders to respect regulatory institutions, and appealed to the Federal Government to continue supporting NMDPRA’s independent and reform-driven leadership.
The coalition concluded by reaffirming full confidence in Mr. Farouk Ahmed, describing him as a regulator whose actions have strengthened credibility, boosted stakeholder confidence, and safeguarded the national interest in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum industry.