The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, has issued a robust rebuttal to corruption allegations leveled against him by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, dismissing the claims as misleading, contextually distorted, and suspiciously timed.
In a detailed statement, Ahmed welcomed scrutiny of his finances, stating, “the allegations ‘necessitated this response, not because I fear scrutiny of my finances, which I welcome, but because the timing and nature of these claims demand context that only three decades of public service can provide.” He traced his career in Nigeria’s petroleum sector back to 1991, insisting that his rise through the system was driven by merit rather than political patronage.
Ahmed highlighted his extensive professional experience spanning technical operations, crude oil marketing, gas supply monitoring, and downstream activities, emphasizing that his actions and decisions in office have consistently been guided by Nigeria’s national interest. “I spent my formative years in the technical divisions, where decisions are measured not by political expediency but by engineering precision and market realities,” he said.
He outlined his career progression, noting his rise to General Manager of the Crude Oil Marketing Division in 2012, Deputy Director in 2015, and eventual appointment as NMDPRA Chief Executive in 2021. Upon assuming the role, Ahmed acknowledged the challenges of implementing reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act, stating that enforcing transparency in a sector long characterized by opacity would inevitably meet resistance.
Directly addressing claims about funding his children’s education, Ahmed described the assertion that he spent $5 million on their Swiss schooling as misleading. “Three of my four children received substantial merit-based scholarships ranging from 40% to 65% of tuition costs, verifiable information is available to any authorised investigation,” he said, adding that contributions from his late father, a Northern Nigerian businessman, further supported the education costs.
He continued, “When scholarships, family contributions, and my own savings accumulated over three decades are properly accounted for, my personal financial obligation was entirely consistent with someone of my professional standing and length of service.” Ahmed confirmed that his annual compensation of approximately N48 million, including allowances, is publicly documented, and that he has submitted detailed asset declarations to the Code of Conduct Bureau throughout his career.
Ahmed connected the resurgence of these allegations to recent NMDPRA regulatory measures. “These allegations resurface precisely when NMDPRA has enforced quality standards revealing substandard petroleum products in the market, implemented stricter licensing requirements, and insisted on transparent pricing mechanisms that eliminate opacity benefiting certain market players. This timing is not coincidental,” he asserted.
Defending import licensing decisions, he emphasized compliance with Section 7 of the Petroleum Industry Act, which mandates supply security and prevention of scarcity. “Granting import licenses when domestic supply proves insufficient is not sabotage, it is our legal duty,” Ahmed declared.
Ahmed formally invited probes, stating: “I formally and publicly request the Code of Conduct Bureau to conduct comprehensive review of all my asset declarations since 1991, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to examine all my financial transactions and sources of income, and the National Assembly to exercise its oversight function regarding any allegations of regulatory compromise during my tenure. I will cooperate fully, provide all documentation, and answer all questions under oath if required.” In conclusion, he reaffirmed his commitment: “Three decades of service to Nigeria’s petroleum sector have taught me that integrity is tested not in comfortable moments but when powerful interests demand compromise. My response is simple: investigate thoroughly, examine every claim, scrutinize every transaction. My record both financial and professional will withstand any legitimate inquiry.”
Dangote’s Petition
Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Group, petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on December 16, addressing ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), demanding Ahmed’s arrest, investigation, and prosecution.
Dangote accused Ahmed of living beyond his means, alleging over $7 million spent on his four children’s Swiss education with fees paid upfront for six years—expenditures he claimed unjustifiable by a public officer’s earnings. He provided the children’s names, schools, and specific amounts, urging verification as “clear evidence of corrupt enrichment,” and further alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and turning NMDPRA into a tool for embezzlement.
“It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment and embezzlement constitute gross acts of corruption,” Dangote wrote, invoking Section 19 of the ICPC Act for a five-year jail term without fine option. He offered to appear before investigators with evidence.
These claims echoed Dangote’s public remarks at the Dangote Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, on Sunday, where he questioned Ahmed’s wealth source and accused the regulator of frustrating local refining via fuel import licenses. “Nigerians deserve to know the source of these sums of money paid by a public officer while many parents in his home state of Sokoto cannot afford N10,000 school fees for their children,” Dangote said.
