The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, has made it clear that he will not be drawn into a public confrontation with billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, following allegations recently linked to the president of Dangote Refinery.
In an official statement released on Wednesday via the NMDPRA’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Ahmed refuted claims that he had issued a response to Dangote’s accusations. He described circulating reports attributed to him as false and misleading, stressing that no such statement originated from his office.
According to Ahmed, his attention was drawn to media reports suggesting that he had reacted publicly to allegations made against him. He categorically denied authoring or authorising any such response, emphasizing that the statement being circulated did not come from him in any form.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations and the intense public debate they have sparked, Ahmed explained that his silence was deliberate. He said his position as a regulator in a highly sensitive sector requires restraint and professionalism, making public exchanges inappropriate.
The NMDPRA chief further revealed that the matter has already been referred to a recognised investigative authority by the accuser. He expressed confidence in the investigative process, stating that it offers a fair and impartial platform to examine the claims and ultimately establish the truth.
Ahmed noted that although the allegations—some of which extend to members of his family—are unfounded and damaging, he has chosen to avoid engaging in what he described as public mudslinging. Instead, he said he trusts institutional mechanisms to handle the issue objectively and transparently.
He added that submitting the case to a formal investigative body would allow all parties to present facts, separate speculation from evidence, and ensure that justice is served without media sensationalism.
It will be recalled that Aliko Dangote reportedly petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleging that Ahmed spent as much as $5 million on the foreign education of his children. The matter is now expected to be examined by the anti-corruption agency in line with established procedures.
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