The House of Representatives has taken decisive action to quell a brewing crisis in Nigeria's vital petroleum sector. The legislative intervention targets the escalating public dispute between Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, and the nation's oil regulator.
Committee Calls for Ceasefire, Sets Emergency Meeting
On Monday, December 15, 2025, the Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) announced it had summoned both parties to appear before it. The committee, led by Chairmen Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Hon. Henry Okogie, acted following an emergency meeting convened to address what they termed "growing tension."
This tension, fueled by public allegations and counter-claims from Dangote Refinery leadership and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), threatens to destabilize the sector. The lawmakers have directed both sides to immediately halt all media hostilities and public exchanges pending the outcome of their investigation.
Root Causes: Licenses and Local Refining Capacity
Hon. Ugochinyere revealed that the committee's swift move was prompted specifically by concerns raised by Alhaji Aliko Dangote against the NMDPRA. He emphasized that the dispute emerges at a critical juncture when the government and industry players are striving to stabilize fuel supply, pricing, and regulation after the removal of the subsidy.
The committee has already received petitions touching on core industry issues. These include the contentious matter of import licenses and critical questions about whether domestic refineries, including the massive Dangote facility, possess the capacity to meet Nigeria's daily petroleum product demand. "These are serious issues," Ugochinyere stated, confirming the probe will cover all grievances.
Pathway to Resolution and National Interest
The committee's strategy is to get to the heart of the matter through direct dialogue. It has resolved to formally invite the President of the Dangote Group and the leadership of the NMDPRA to provide detailed explanations. The goal is to reach concrete, sustainable resolutions that will benefit the entire sector.
"We can only find sustainable solutions when we identify the critical issues leading to this tension," Ugochinyere explained. He assured that the committee has the capacity to resolve the matter conclusively and appealed once more for all parties to suspend further accusations in the national interest. The investigation is expected to be concluded within a matter of days.
This legislative intervention underscores the high stakes involved in ensuring stability for Nigeria's downstream petroleum industry, a key driver of the nation's economy.
