The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, has publicly denied authoring a statement that recently circulated online concerning allegations about his children's education.
Regulator Denies Online Statement, Maintains Silence
In a personal disclaimer dated Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Ahmed stated he was aware of what he termed "wild and spurious allegations" targeting him and his family. However, he clarified that the specific online response attributed to him was not from his office.
"My attention has been drawn to a statement circulating online and falsely attributed to me regarding recent allegations. I wish to state clearly that I did not issue that response," Ahmed declared.
He explained his decision to avoid media exchanges, citing his sensitive role as a sector regulator. Ahmed noted that the matter is now with a formal investigative body, expressing confidence it would be examined objectively, allowing him to clear his name.
Dangote Escalates Feud with Formal ICPC Petition
Ahmed's denial follows a significant escalation by Africa's wealthiest individual, Aliko Dangote. Dangote has submitted a formal petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against the NMDPRA boss.
The petition, filed through his lawyer, Chief Ogwu Onoja (SAN), contains serious allegations. It claims that Ahmed spent approximately $7 million on foreign education for his four children without having a lawful income to support such expenditure.
The ICPC spokesman, John Odey, confirmed receipt of the petition on Tuesday. "The ICPC wishes to state that the petition will be duly investigated," Odey said in an official statement.
Dangote's petition, addressed to ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu (SAN), accuses Ahmed of:
- Abuse of office
- Breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers
- Corrupt enrichment
The petition alleges the school fees for institutions in Switzerland were paid upfront over several years. It argues these funds could not have originated from Ahmed's legitimate earnings as a career public servant. To bolster his case, Dangote reportedly provided the anti-graft agency with the children's names, their schools, and the alleged amounts paid.
National Assembly Joins the Fray with Separate Probe
The controversy has also captured the attention of the National Assembly. The House of Representatives has resolved to launch its own investigation into the NMDPRA Chief Executive.
The probe will focus on two key issues:
- The alleged payment of hefty foreign tuition fees for his children.
- The purported indiscriminate issuance of petrol importation licenses, despite claims of sufficient local production.
This legislative inquiry is based on the House's constitutional powers to investigate agencies and the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which outlines the NMDPRA's regulatory duties.
The convergence of these actions—a denial from the accused, a formal petition to the ICPC by a powerful business figure, and a parallel probe by the legislature—signals a major development in Nigeria's energy and anti-corruption landscape. All eyes are now on the findings of the investigative bodies.
