Dangote Accuses NMDPRA Of Misconduct, Calls for Investigation

President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has called for an investigation into the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, accusing him of economic sabotage that undermines domestic refining in Nigeria. Speaking at a press conference at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Dangote alleged that the NMDPRA leadership was colluding with international traders and fuel importers to frustrate local refining by continuing to issue import licenses for petroleum products.

Dangote also claimed that Engr. Ahmed was living beyond his official means.

The Dangote Group chairman, however, assured Nigerians that the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) would fall further. He stated that petrol would sell for no more than N740 per litre from Tuesday, starting in Lagos, following the refinery’s reduction of the gantry price to N699 per litre. MRS filling stations would be the first to implement the new pricing.

Expressing concern about the downstream sector, Dangote said Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports was harming local production and discouraging investment in domestic refining. He revealed that import licenses for approximately 7.5 billion litres of PMS had been issued for the first quarter of 2026, despite significant domestic refining capacity.

He added that modular refineries were already struggling under current policies and on the verge of collapse, with the continued issuance of import permits further weakening the sector.

“I am not calling for his removal, but for a proper investigation. He should be required to account for his actions and demonstrate that he has not compromised his position to the detriment of Nigerians. What is happening amounts to economic sabotage,” Dangote said. “The Code of Conduct Bureau, or any other government body deemed appropriate, can investigate this matter.”

He described the downstream petroleum sector as under severe strain, alleging entrenched interests profiting from fuel imports at the expense of national development.

“There are powerful interests in the oil sector. It is troubling that African countries continue to import refined products despite repeated calls for value addition and domestic refining. The volume of imports being allowed is unethical and harms Nigeria,” he said.

Dangote stressed the importance of separating regulatory oversight from commercial interests, warning that allowing traders to influence regulation would compromise the sector’s integrity.

“The downstream sector must not be destroyed by personal interests. A trader should never act as a regulator. Forty-seven licenses have been issued, yet no new refineries are being built because the environment is not conducive,” he said. He added that Nigerians would ultimately benefit from local refining, even as fuel importers face losses.

He reiterated his commitment to ensuring Nigerians enjoy the benefits of domestic refining, noting that the company was working to ensure that the recent reduction in gantry prices is reflected at retail outlets.

From Tuesday, all MRS filling stations would sell PMS at no more than N740 per litre in Lagos. The refinery has also reduced its minimum purchase requirement from two million litres to 500,000 litres to allow more marketers, including members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), to participate.