Dangote Claims: Nmdpra Chief Denies Viral Statement, Welcomes Icpc Investigation

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, has denied authoring any statement in reaction to allegations made against him by the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

In a brief statement issued on Wednesday, Ahmed said he did not authorise the response currently circulating on social media, stressing that it did not originate from him.

Speaking earlier at a press briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, Dangote had called for a thorough investigation into Ahmed’s sources of income and urged him to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal to publicly explain his finances.

Dangote alleged that the cost of Ahmed’s children’s education abroad raised serious concerns, claiming that educating four children over six years reportedly cost about $5 million. He also submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), calling for a probe into Ahmed’s financial dealings. Dangote further accused the regulator of actions he described as economic sabotage, warning that such conduct could erode public trust and discourage investment, particularly in relation to the issuance of fuel import licences.

A statement purportedly signed by Ahmed later surfaced online on Tuesday, but officials of the NMDPRA described it as fake. Ahmed reaffirmed that he did not issue the statement and said he had deliberately refrained from responding publicly despite being aware of the allegations involving him and his family.

“My attention has been drawn to a purported response attributed to me regarding the recent allegations. I state clearly that the statement did not come from me,” Ahmed said.

He added that, as the head of a sensitive regulatory agency, he chose not to engage in public exchanges despite what he described as unfounded accusations.

Ahmed welcomed the decision to refer the matter to the ICPC, expressing confidence that a formal investigation would allow the issues to be objectively examined and provide an opportunity for him to clear his name.