The public clash between Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, and Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has become one of the most consequential corporate–government confrontations in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector in recent years.
It initially began as policy disagreements over fuel imports and local refining and has escalated into formal corruption allegations.
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The Genesis of the Dispute
Dangote was frustrated with the regulatory environment governing Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, particularly around fuel import licences and support for local refining.
He had built a massive refinery in Lagos to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel, but has repeatedly clashed with the NMDPRA over allowing continued importation of petroleum products that, in his view, could be supplied by Nigerian refineries like his own.
The regulator under Farouk countered that Dangote’s refinery cannot yet meet national fuel demand, and warns against abruptly banning imports on that basis.
Dangote’s Allegations Against Farouk Ahmed
In December 2025, Dangote escalated his criticism into formal accusations against Farouk Ahmed, accusing him of corruption, financial impropriety, and abuse of office.
On Tuesday, 16 December 2025, Aliko Dangote formally submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Farouk Ahmed.
In the petition, Dangote accused the NMDPRA boss of:
1. Regulatory Sabotage
Dangote alleged that Farouk’s leadership of the NMDPRA had deliberately favoured fuel importers through licensing decisions, thereby weakening local refining. He framed these actions as a form of economic sabotage, arguing that they threatened the viability of Nigeria’s largest private refinery investment.
2. Corruption and Lifestyle Beyond Known Income
The most controversial allegation centred on Farouk’s personal finances. Dangote claimed that:
- Farouk had lived far beyond the legitimate earnings of a public servant.
- He allegedly spent over $5 million on the education of his children in Switzerland
- The payments were reportedly made upfront over several years, which Dangote argued could not be justified by Farouk’s salary or known income sources
Dangote called on the ICPC to investigate, arrest, and prosecute Farouk Ahmed for alleged corruption and abuse of office.
The petition immediately triggered widespread reactions and the House of Representatives resolved to investigate the allegations and summoned both Dangote and Farouk Ahmed.
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Farouk Ahmed’s Official Response
On Wednesday, 17 December 2025, the NMDPRA boss issued a clarification distancing himself from statements circulating in the media that purported to be his response to Dangote’s allegations.
In his position, Farouk:
- Denied issuing any public rebuttal as claimed by some reports
- Described the allegations against him as “wild and spurious”
- Stated that he would not engage in a media war
Additionally, he welcomed the ICPC investigation, calling it an opportunity to clear his name through due process.
Farouk Resigns
Farouk Ahmed and Gbenga Komolafe resign while President Bola Tinubu asks the Senate to approve new NMDPRA and NUPRC chiefs.
The Senate has been asked by President Tinubu to approve Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as the head of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as the head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
This is certainly a ripple effect from Dangote’s action and we’ve not heard the last of it.
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