Farouk Ahmed has resigned from his position as Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), following corruption allegations made against him by the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.
The development was confirmed on Wednesday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who also disclosed that Gbenga Komolafe has exited his role as Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
According to Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the names of two nominees to the Senate for confirmation as replacements. The president requested an expedited confirmation process for Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as the new Chief Executive Officer of the NUPRC and Saidu Mohammed as head of the NMDPRA.
“The two nominees are seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry,” the statement noted.
Hours before his resignation became public, Ahmed paid a visit to President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. Dressed in traditional attire, the Bauchi-born former regulator spent less than 30 minutes at the Villa before departing.
Although the purpose of the visit was not disclosed, Ahmed declined to address journalists afterward, stating, “It’s already late for an interview. It’s past 5 p.m. Work has closed.”
Dangote’s Accusation, Search For ‘Justice’
Ahmed’s visit came against the backdrop of an escalating dispute with Dangote, who had petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accusing the former NMDPRA chief of corruption and financial impropriety.
In the petition, submitted through his lawyer Ogwu Onoja, Dangote urged the ICPC to arrest, investigate and prosecute Ahmed. He alleged that Ahmed was living far beyond his legitimate earnings, claiming that four of his children attended secondary schools in Switzerland at costs running into millions of dollars.
Dangote alleged that about $5 million was spent on secondary education and upkeep over six years, with an additional $2 million reportedly spent on tertiary education. This included an alleged $210,000 payment for a 2025 Harvard MBA programme for one of Ahmed’s children.
The billionaire industrialist reportedly provided the names of the children and their schools, urging the anti-graft agency to prosecute Ahmed in line with existing laws.
“We have no reservation that, being a matter that is in the public domain, the Commission will not close its eyes to it but act decisively to ensure that justice is done and the good image of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is protected,” part of the petition read.
The ICPC acknowledged receipt of the petition and assured the public that the matter would be investigated. “The petition is against the CEO of the NMDPRA, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed. The ICPC wishes to state that the petition will be duly investigated,” the commission said.
Earlier on Sunday, Dangote had accused the leadership of the NMDPRA under Ahmed of economic sabotage. Speaking at a press conference at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, he claimed certain regulatory decisions were undermining local refining capacity.
Dangote alleged that the continued issuance of import licences for petroleum products was frustrating domestic refiners and sustaining Nigeria’s dependence on imports. He further accused the regulator of colluding with international traders and oil importers at the expense of local operators.
Ahmed Labels Allegations ‘Wild, Spurious’
In response to the allegations, Ahmed described Dangote’s claims as “wild and spurious” in a brief statement.
“While I am aware of the wild and spurious allegations made against me and my family and the frenzy it has generated, as a regulator of a sensitive industry, I have opted not to engage in public brickbat,” he said.
“Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken it to a formal investigative institution. I believe that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distill the issues and to clear my name.”
Year-Long Battle, Reps Intervention
The renewed clash between Dangote and Ahmed traces back to 2024, when the NMDPRA accused local refiners, including the Dangote Refinery, of producing substandard products compared to imported fuel.
At the time, Ahmed accused Dangote of attempting to monopolise Nigeria’s energy supply, allegations the refinery owner strongly denied. The regulator also claimed the Lagos-based refinery was still in its pre-commissioning phase and lacked an operational licence.
The controversy prompted the House of Representatives to call for a probe and demanded Ahmed’s suspension. Despite the back-and-forth, the dispute continued to simmer until the latest allegations reignited tensions.
What you should know
Farouk Ahmed’s resignation marks a major shake-up in Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory landscape at a time when the government is pushing reforms and local refining.
The allegations by Aliko Dangote have intensified scrutiny of regulatory authorities, particularly over transparency, accountability and policies affecting domestic refineries.
With the ICPC now investigating the claims and new nominees awaiting Senate confirmation, the episode underscores growing pressure on regulators to balance oversight with support for local industry, while maintaining public trust in the administration’s anti-corruption stance.
