…Accuse Dangote of Undermining Regulatory Independence
Over 50 civil society organisations (CSOs) on Monday 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 unfounded and unsupported by evidence.
The CSOs stated their position at a joint press conference in Abuja, where they described the allegations as an attempt to discredit the leadership of the NMDPRA in connection with its regulatory actions in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the Convener, Comrade Ibrahim Bello—also the National Coordinator of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI)—said the organisations had carried out internal reviews and assessments and found no basis for claims of corruption against the NMDPRA chief.
“Our findings show no evidence that Mr. Farouk Ahmed engaged in corrupt practices. Instead, the NMDPRA leadership has focused on repositioning the downstream sector to promote fairness, competition and efficiency, in line with the national interest,” Bello said.
He added that the authority, under Ahmed’s leadership, has operated within the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), strengthening regulatory transparency and expanding opportunities for investor participation in the sector.
The coalition also addressed claims attributed to Dangote alleging that the NMDPRA CEO paid five million United States dollars ($5 million) as school fees for his children in Switzerland, stating that no proof or verifiable evidence had been presented to substantiate the allegation.
According to the CSOs, making serious accusations in the media without following due process poses risks to Nigeria’s regulatory institutions and could undermine ongoing reforms in the petroleum industry.
Several civil society leaders endorsed the position, including representatives of Citizens Watch for Good Governance (CWGG), the Accountability and Democratic Values Initiative (ADVI), the Nigerian Coalition Against Corruption and Waste (NCACW), the Voice of Conscience Foundation (VOCF), and other organisations across the country.
The CSOs said criticism of the NMDPRA leadership appears linked to the agency’s enforcement of regulatory standards and its opposition to practices that could limit competition in the downstream petroleum sector.
Reaffirming their commitment to transparency and accountability, the organisations urged individuals and corporate entities with grievances to pursue established legal and institutional channels rather than resorting to public accusations.
They called on Nigerians to treat unproven allegations with caution, urged stakeholders in the petroleum sector to respect regulatory institutions, and appealed to the Federal Government to continue supporting the independence of the NMDPRA.
The coalition concluded by expressing confidence in Ahmed’s leadership, describing his actions as having strengthened regulatory credibility, enhanced stakeholder confidence and safeguarded the national interest in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum industry.
