A significant controversy has erupted in Nigeria's oil and gas regulatory sector following serious corruption allegations made by Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, against the head of a key government agency.
NMDPRA Chairman Distances Himself from Purported Statement
The Chairman of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, has publicly denied authoring a statement that was widely circulated as his official response to allegations leveled against him by Aliko Dangote. The denial was issued via an official NMDPRA statement on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
Ahmed clarified that the document making rounds in the media did not originate from him or his office. He acknowledged being aware of the serious allegations, which also implicate his family, and the subsequent social media frenzy they have generated.
In a notable twist, the NMDPRA boss expressed gratitude to Dangote for choosing to take the matter to a formal investigative institution. He stated that this formal approach would afford him a proper avenue to clear his name, declaring his intention to avoid a public "brickbat" or war of words.
Public Backlash and Calls for Suspension
The NMDPRA's official statement, posted on its social media handle, has drawn sharp criticism from many Nigerians who question its propriety and timing.
Social media commentator Uncle Deji questioned the competence of the agency's social media team, asking how they retain their jobs despite failing to verify official communication channels. Reuben Muhindi strongly argued that Ahmed, as an individual facing personal allegations, should not use the official account of a government institution to defend himself. He maintained that while Ahmed has a right of reply, it must be done through personal, not official, channels.
A user named Ade condemned the use of the NMDPRA's official letterhead and X (formerly Twitter) account for the matter, stressing that the disclaimer addressed a personal issue, not an official agency matter.
The most stringent reaction came from Ben Samuel, who called for Ahmed's immediate suspension pending the outcome of the investigation. He argued that in a well-functioning system, serious allegations from a figure of Dangote's stature would automatically lead to the accused official stepping aside to ensure the transparency and impartiality of the probe. He lamented that in Nigeria, such standard procedures are often ignored, undermining public confidence.
ICPC Confirms Receipt of Petition
The foundation of this drama is a formal petition submitted by Aliko Dangote, the President and Executive Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
The ICPC has confirmed receiving the petition, which contains allegations of corruption and economic sabotage against NMDPRA Chairman Farouk Ahmed. Dangote's accusations are grave, suggesting that the regulator's actions have been detrimental to Nigeria's economy.
The anti-graft commission has disclosed the next steps it will take, a development that has sparked further public discourse and demands for a thorough and swift investigation. The situation remains fluid as Nigerians await the findings of the ICPC probe into these high-stakes allegations involving one of the country's most prominent businessmen and a top energy sector regulator.
