A powerful coalition of Nigerian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has risen to defend the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). This comes after a claim by business magnate Aliko Dangote that the regulator was undermining its own independence.
CSOs Counter Dangote's Allegations
The rebuttal was issued in a formal statement on 16 December 2025. It was signed by Ibrahim Bello, the National Coordinator of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI). The coalition firmly rejected the allegations made by the Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited in Lagos.
The group went further to completely absolve the NMDPRA Chief Executive Officer, Farouk Ahmed, of any wrongdoing. They stated he is not involved in corrupt practices nor living above his means. Instead, Bello framed the accusations as a calculated attempt to discredit the NMDPRA's leadership.
A Stand for Fairness and the PIA
According to the coalition, the attacks stem directly from the regulator's firm stance against unfair practices in Nigeria’s vital petroleum sector. They praised the leadership under Ahmed for remaining faithful to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
"We believe these allegations are aimed at intimidating the regulator because of its insistence on fairness, competition and value for Nigerians," the coalition's statement declared. They emphasized that Ahmed's work has been focused on strengthening regulatory transparency and creating a level playing field to attract more investors.
Call for Due Process and Continued Support
The CSOs argued that the sustained criticism is a reaction to the NMDPRA's refusal to lower regulatory standards or permit any single company to dominate the downstream market. They urged all parties with genuine concerns to follow established legal procedures instead of resorting to public media trials.
In closing, the coalition called on stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to respect the country's regulatory institutions. They also appealed to the Federal Government to continue supporting the independence and reform-driven agenda of the NMDPRA under its current leadership.
