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Tag: NMDPRA

  • NUPRC, NMDPRA meet to resolve overlapping issues

    NUPRC, NMDPRA meet to resolve overlapping issues

    The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have pledged deeper cooperation to streamline regulation, resolve overlapping issues and attract greater investment into Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. 

     The commitment was sealed during a high-level meeting at NUPRC headquarters in Abuja where both agencies agreed to establish dedicated liaison teams and institute quarterly joint meetings to proactively address regulatory challenges.

    NUPRC Commission Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, described the oil and gas sector as “the heartbeat of the nation’s economy” and stressed that seamless collaboration between the two regulators is indispensable for sustained growth. 

    READ ALSO: Senator Kalu replies Otti, says Tinubu, APC will win Abia in 2027

     “We are enablers for the industry,” she said. “Sometimes there is no fine line between upstream, midstream, and downstream. If we are not working together, that becomes a problem. Today marks the beginning of many more productive interactions as we put forces together to ensure the industry grows astronomically.” 

    Eyesan also invited NMDPRA to support the ongoing 2025/2026 licensing round, which offers 50 oil and gas blocks, and extended a formal invitation to the Authority Chief Executive to attend the pre-bid conference scheduled for January 14, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. 

    In response, NMDPRA Authority Chief Executive, Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, highlighted the shared heritage of both agencies as successors to the former Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). He called for stronger “brother-and-sister” relations and urged that any differences be resolved internally and amicably.

  • NERC, NMDPRA meet on energy security enhancement

    NERC, NMDPRA meet on energy security enhancement

    Owing to their desire to enhance energy security and economic growth, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, alongside members of his management team, paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Abuja.

    This was made known in the X handle of the NERC, which said the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration between the two regulators in recognition of their strategic roles in Nigeria’s energy landscape.

    Read Also: Tinubu seeks Senate’s confirmation for Abe, Adeniji as NUPRC, NMDPRA board chairmen

    Discussions focused on enhancing synergy between the power and gas sectors to support national economic growth and energy security.

    Speaking during the meeting, both parties emphasised that as regulators of two critical sectors of the economy, there is a need for continuous engagement and coordinated strategies to develop practical solutions that will move their respective sectors forward.

    The NERC chairman, Dr. Musiliu Oseni, welcomed the visit, noting that closer cooperation between the electricity and petroleum regulators would promote policy coherence, operational efficiency, and sustainable development across the energy value chain.

    The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration and explore joint initiatives that will advance the growth and stability of Nigeria’s power sector.

  • “No Gree…” Here for Good

    “No Gree…” Here for Good

    By Tunde Akanni

    “Like play…”, as they say, Dangote emerges the Man of the Year 2025!  A consumerist perspective, you may say. 

    But who could have imagined that the 2024 Gen Zs’ “no greefor anybody” slogan would get a lease of life from the least likely quarter? Dangote volunteered. He tore through the muscles of powerful oil sectors’ big men. Only one was in sight but big ones fell! And even a third. Dangote no gree for anybody.   He has come to reaffirm his conquest of the sector. May the conquest signal better future for citizens.

    Yeah, unlike POTUS Trump, Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote, ran an unusual race and breasted the tape. By all means, Trump, strangely, sought the Nobel Peace Prize this year, 2025 but it all ended in praise. For the judges, as you know, who reaffirmed their consistency by giving it to the deserving, a Venezuelan, Maria Corina Machado. May Venezuela survive the raging oil-induced envy.

    Aliko Dangote, serial winner on all choice business fronts, renowned for his relentlessly expansionist business drive was about being stopped from clinching my nomination by some feeble appointee like that, Farouk Ahmed. Comparatively feeble, yes. Engineer Ahmed, long sworn against the welfare of the multitude was up to some vicious machination he planned to inflict on Nigerians again, this Yuletide season. But God had a better plan for Nigerians. Far, from Ahmed’s. Indeed, superior. Until recently, he was the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA.

    To the extreme delight of many Nigerians, Dangote announced a slashed price for fuel by as much as almost #200. Ahmed and company wanted a different, constraining deal for Nigerians and even started cooking some sentiments.  There was no stopping daring Dangote. He had tolerated Ahmed and company enough.

    In the heat of the moment, Dangote alerted Nigerians to the fact that Engineer Ahmed as the head of NMDPRA preferred the regime of continued imporation of fuel which impliedly wouldmean prolonged era of high price of fuel at possibly #1000 per litre very soon. Meanwhile, Dangote is here with the offer of #739 pump-head price deriving from #699 gantry price from which #300 accrues to the government on every litre. 

    Without mincing words, Dangote said the otherwise unprintable, alleging Engineer Ahmed’s overindulgence in messy corruption but Dangote would not play ball to sustain and would rather spill all beans. After what looked like the initial threats by Dangote,and Ahmed did not seem to be ruffled, Dangote got his lawyer, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, to file a formal complaint against the stubborn perpetrator of the anti-people officialdom. It finally became public knowledge that this character had been living beyond his means at the expense of what he could hardly defend. The onus is now on the Independent Corrupt Practice Commission, ICPC, to do all verification for the world to know the villain further

    Few months back, Ahmed and company had played a fast one on the entire nation claiming the Port Harcourt refinery long abandoned and declared a ne’er do well by the legendary Obasanjo, was back in good shape. Nah!

    They conjured it all and made it look real, televising all the falsehoods for the world to lap up. Only for them to recoil after giving so much life to sheer deceit. But who knows how much would have been gulped by the show of shame mounted by Engineer Ahmed and fellow swindlers of taxpayers’ sweats?

    Even now that Ahmed has been compelled to hand in his resignation letter, his taciturnity has continued.  But a certain Engineer Kailani that Dangote never mentioned plunged into the dark alley of Ahmed’s fight.  According to him, on Trust TV, he knew how Dangote made his money from Port Harcourt but that some of them just chose to keep quiet. 

    Really? Again, Dangote no gree for anybody! He slammed anultimatum of seven days on the self appointed advocate of Ahmed to do full throttle disclosure of all he knew about how Dangote made his money in Port Harcourt failing which he ran the risk of a #100 billion suit. But guy was a mere mouth-maker. He hurried back to Trust TV to swallow his words. He went on to apologise and in his characteristic sweeping sobbing muttered that his north had ways with Allah knows what.

    The good thing for now however is that Dangote has crashed the pump-head price of fuel from over #900 or so to #739 in Lagos,at least at MRS stations.This writer bought from Palmgrovestation Monday December 22, 2025. The price crasher went further to enjoin members of the public to report stations declining to dispense at the stated price.

    This Dangote’s new found love for activism came on the heel of the recent inspiring action of an activist, or better still, a renewed hope compliant government commission, in Lagos. Thesaid commission, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, defying possible blackmail, in the spirit of no gree for anybody descended on the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IKEDC, on account of  protracted infractions including deprivation of certain subscribers of services for as long as one year and some months. After serial warnings which IKEDC deliberately ignored, it took a powerful team of FCCPC led by its Surveillance team to seal up the premises of the erring Ikeja zonal office of IKEDC.  

    IKEDC has the notoriety of being insensitive to customers’complaints but interestingly has always been stopped by FCCPC whose slogan of Demand and Insist is echoed by “no gree for anybody”. Early this year, your’s sincerely had the existing electricity meter for my apartment  within government quarters in Ikeja GRA disconnected by operatives of IKEDC, even when they were not ready to replace immediately.  

    The simplistic argument from IKEDC operatives was that it was an old meter even as it was also a prepaid meter which FCCPC had argued was upgradeable by merely installing some software on that particular version. The Federal Government’s directive was that if they chose to remove any such meter, they must replace for subscribers in Band A at no cost. But IKEDC had always stated that free meter would take eternity and therefore advising subscribers to pay for meters so they could have a replacement. 

    Almost everyone in my vicinity had been successfully cajoled and made to pay for their meters, but heeding the slogan of FCCPC, I demanded for my entitlement and insisted too by notifying FCCPC. Promptly, FCCPC intervened and advised IKEDC to ensure they supply my meter without delay.  FCCPC added further that in the event that it would take a while to  getme a meter, they must not slap any outrageous bill on me,insisting specifically, that subsequent bills for me must be relative to my billing history. My meter was installed within one month! Within the said month, my bill was based on the average cost of my consumption over time. Just imagine life without FCCPC

    Today’s Nigeria with prevalent multidimensional reforms, at the centre, clearly inspires citizens’ activist posturing as demonstrated by Dangote, no matter what the trajectory of the “no gree for anybody” campaign is. 

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is even in the forefront of all these, afterall.  He leaves no one in doubt about his deep conviction for the good governance need for the fiscal autonomy of local governments in line with the verdict of the Supreme Court. The height of it all was his recent public declaration of the likelihood of executing the statutory provision for the executive order  to compel compliance for State Governments.  This was actually in addition to repeated calls earlier by the President to citizens to call out the governors and other relevant elected officials to work with the substantially increased revenue. 

    Follow who know road like Dangote. Demand for your rights and Insist, shikena.

    Professor Tunde Akanni, Pioneer Fellow of the Responsible Governance Prrogramme of the Michigan State University and LASU based Development Communications Expert, is currently on sabbatical tenure at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC.

  • Senate screens Tinubu’s mominees for NUPRC, NMDPRA

    Senate screens Tinubu’s mominees for NUPRC, NMDPRA

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s push to reform Nigeria’s oil and gas governance gathered momentum on Thursday as the Senate began the screening of nominees for the leadership of the country’s key petroleum regulatory agencies.

    The nominees, Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan for the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Saidu Mohammed for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), appeared before the joint Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream, Downstream and Gas) at the National Assembly.

    During the screening, the nominees pledged to implement far-reaching reforms aimed at blocking revenue leakages, restoring regulatory discipline and attracting new investments into the sector.

    They outlined reform agendas focused on digitisation, strict enforcement of contracts, credible data management, improved investor confidence and accelerated gas development, in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    Their nominations followed the resignation of the pioneer chief executives of the two agencies, Gbenga Komolafe of the NUPRC and Farouk Ahmed of the NMDPRA, who were appointed in 2021 after the PIA came into force.

    Eyesan, nominated to lead the upstream regulator, told senators that Nigeria was losing significant value due to manual regulatory processes and weak system integration in an industry that is increasingly driven by technology. 

    She stressed the need for modern, digital systems to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability across the upstream sector.

    “We are still largely manual, while the world is moving at jet speed. Without digitisation and real-time data, you cannot truly understand what you are regulating, and you will continue to lose money,” she said.

    She stressed that effective regulation depends on accurate data, asset integrity monitoring and transparent systems, adding that collaboration among regulators, operators and policymakers was key to resolving bottlenecks in the sector.

    “We must collaborate with stakeholders, identify our pain points and address them collectively. That is how we move the needle forward,” Eyesan said.

    She assured lawmakers that she would fully deploy the PIA as a regulatory tool to reposition the upstream sector, attract investments and ensure Nigeria remains competitive amid the global energy transition, describing the law as “a valuable document” if properly implemented.

    Eyesan, an Economics graduate of the University of Benin, spent nearly 33 years at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its subsidiaries, retiring as Executive Vice President, Upstream. She cited her role in resolving long-standing disputes with international partners, restoring investor confidence during divestment threats and facilitating multi-billion-dollar deep offshore investments.

    She also recalled signing Nigeria’s first non-associated gas development contract and contributing to the increase in crude oil production from about 1.3 million barrels per day to 1.8 million barrels per day during her tenure.

    “Having worked as an operator and participated in resource development, I believe I have the competence to regulate the industry and ensure we maximise the enormous opportunities before us,” she told the committee.

    On his part, Mohammed, the NMDPRA nominee, emphasised the need to restore discipline across the gas and petroleum supply chain through strict enforcement of contracts and quality standards.

    “Gas is not a favour; it is a commodity. It must be sold on the basis of enforceable contracts from the producer to the transporter and the end-user,” he said, blaming weak contractual frameworks for persistent gas shortages, particularly in the power sector.

    He noted that steady gas supply to some power plants was only possible where contracts were clear and obligations enforced, adding that strengthening regulatory oversight and enforcing the Gas Network Code would help stabilise the system and restore investor confidence.

    Mohammed also warned against neglecting domestic refining and processing capacity, cautioning that the sector could suffer the fate of Nigeria’s collapsed textile industry if local needs were ignored in favour of exports.

    The nominee pledged to revive pipeline transportation of petroleum products, attract billions of dollars in investments into gas processing infrastructure and strengthen quality assurance through in-house laboratory facilities.

    “You cannot enforce quality if you do not have the capacity to test and certify products yourself,” he said.

    Born in Gombe in 1957, Mohammed is a chemical engineering graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with decades of experience across the oil and gas value chain. He has served as Managing Director of the Nigerian Gas Company and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, as well as Group Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, at NNPC.

    He also played key roles in major projects including the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline Expansion and the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline.

    Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Senator Sumaila Kawu, said the screening was taking place at a critical time for the country, noting that boosting energy production and efficiency was central to economic recovery.

    He added that further engagements with the nominees would continue into January to strengthen legislative–regulatory collaboration.

    The Senate is expected to consider the committee’s report after the screening, paving the way for the confirmation of the nominees and signalling a new phase in the regulation of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry under the Tinubu administration.

  • IPMAN reminds new NMDPRA boss of N190b bridging claims

    IPMAN reminds new NMDPRA boss of N190b bridging claims

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Thursday reminded the newly appointed Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Chief Executive Officer, Said Aliyu Mohammed, of the N190billion the members are owed as bridging claims.

    Speaking in a press conference in Abuja, the association’s national president, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, urged the new Authority boss to address the debt with urgent concern upon assumption of office.

    His words, “While congratulating the new heads of the oil & gas regulatory bodies, IPMAN would like to remind them of the long outstanding bridging claims owed our members totalling over N190 billion.”

    “We specifically call on the NMPDRA’s new leadership to immediately make this debt a cause for serious concern as he assumes his new position.”

    Maigandi stated that IPMAN has reached an agreement with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to supply Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) – also known as petroleum to its registered members.

    He noted that there will be no gap or scarcity in petrol supply to Nigerians as its members control 80 per cent of the downstream sector.

    He also said the price of the product would soon drop when Dangote Refinery resumes free delivery of the products to its stations.

    “We are also excited about the recent agreement by the Dangote Refinery to begin the supply of PMS products directly to registered IPMAN members, and its free delivery to our filling stations anywhere and everywhere in Nigeria, which will commence in January 2026. This will certainly lead to a further decrease in the pump price of the products at our filling stations.”

    He called on all IPMAN members nationwide to prioritise patronising the Dangote Refinery in their purchase of PMS products, as they already offer the best affordable prize for all marketers today.

    “At IPMAN, we have no doubt as to the viability of the oil and gas policies being initiated by the federal government, and we have ceaselessly called and sought enhanced cooperation across all levels of governance in the oil and gas sector. Hence, our repeated persuasion to always partner with the Dangote refinery, to ensure the steady availability of PMS products.”

    On the N190 billion debt, he said the association’s position has always been to deepen domestic refining to eradicate imports of petroleum products.

    “Continuous import is not an acceptable parallel business model because issuing import licenses recklessly distorts market dynamics, drains foreign exchange, enthrone poverty, destroys jobs, and scares potential investors away.”

  • JUST IN: Tinubu meets NMDPRA chief amid Dangote’s sabotage, corruption allegations

    JUST IN: Tinubu meets NMDPRA chief amid Dangote’s sabotage, corruption allegations

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday evening met with the embattled Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the State House, Abuja.

    The meeting came amid allegations of financial impropriety made by industrialist and President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, against the NMDPRA boss.

    Dangote and Ahmed have been at odds for a while now over downstream petroleum regulation and the future of domestic refining in Nigeria.

    At a press conference on Sunday at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Dangote accused the NMDPRA, under Mr Ahmed’s leadership, of economic sabotage, alleging that regulatory actions were undermining local refining capacity.

    He claimed that the continued issuance of import licences for petroleum products was frustrating domestic refiners and deepening Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Farouk, Komolafe resign as Tinubu nominates new CEOs for petroleum regulators

    The billionaire industrialist further alleged that the regulator was colluding with international traders and petroleum importers to the detriment of local operators, accusations to which the NMDPRA has yet to publicly respond.

    Mr Dangote also made personal allegations against the NMDPRA chief, claiming that Mr Ahmed was living beyond his legitimate means.

    He alleged that four of Mr Ahmed’s children attend secondary schools in Switzerland at costs running into several millions of dollars, arguing that such expenditure raised concerns about conflicts of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum sector.

    On Monday, Mr Dangote escalated the claims, accusing Mr Ahmed of corruption and misappropriation of public funds.

    He alleged that about $5 million was spent on the secondary education and upkeep of the children over six years, with an additional $2 million on tertiary education, including an alleged $210,000 for a 2025 Harvard MBA programme for one of them.

    The controversy deepened on Tuesday when Mr Dangote, through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), calling for Mr Ahmed’s arrest, investigation, and prosecution.

    In the petition addressed to ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu, Mr Dangote alleged that the NMDPRA chief “spent without evidence of lawful means of income amounting to over $7 million for the education of his four children” in Switzerland.

    The petition reportedly included the names of the children, the schools attended, and detailed figures for verification.

    Mr Ahmed arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 5:30 p.m. and left the President’s office after less than 30 minutes.

    He declined to speak with journalists as he exited the State House and offered no comment on the allegations or the outcome of his meeting with President Tinubu.

  • NMDPRA not undermining regulatory independence, says coalition

    NMDPRA not undermining regulatory independence, says coalition

    A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has defended the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over the claim that it was undermining regulatory independence.

    The claim was made yesterday by the Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, in Lagos.

    But the coalition, in a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI), Ibrahim Bello, absolved the NMDPRA Chief Executive Officer, Farouk Ahmed, of corruption allegations or living above his means.

    Bello described the allegations as a calculated attempt to discredit the leadership of the NMDPRA over its firm stance against unfair practices in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector.

    He added that the leadership of the NMDPRA under Ahmed has remained faithful to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), strengthening regulatory transparency and creating opportunities for more investors to participate in the sector.

    Also, he argued that the sustained attacks on the NMDPRA leadership stemmed from its refusal to compromise regulatory standards or allow any company to dominate the petroleum downstream space.

    “We believe these allegations are aimed at intimidating the regulator because of its insistence on fairness, competition and value for Nigerians,” the coalition said.

    Read Also: Tunji-Ojo: Nigeria’s future depends on unity, national renewal

    He added, “Our findings clearly show that Mr Farouk Ahmed has not engaged in any corrupt practice. Rather, he has been repositioning the downstream sector to promote fairness, competition and efficiency.”

    “We believe these allegations are aimed at intimidating the regulator because of its insistence on fairness, competition and value for Nigerians.”

    While reaffirming his commitment to transparency and accountability, he urged individuals and corporate entities with genuine grievances to follow due process rather than resorting to media trials.

    He urged stakeholders in the petroleum sector to respect regulatory institutions and appealed to the Federal Government to continue supporting the independence and reform-driven leadership of the NMDPRA.

  • Reps to investigate NMDPRA/Dangote faceoff

    Reps to investigate NMDPRA/Dangote faceoff

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday gave its committees on Petroleum Resources (Midstream) and (Downstream) to investigate the cause of the brewing dispute between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Dangote Refinery with a view to ensuring quick resolution.

    Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waiver (APC, Delta), the House directed that relevant stakeholders in the downstream value chain should be involved in the process of resolving the disputes with a view to forestalling possible fuel crisis during and after the yuletide.

    In moving the motion, Waiver drew attention to the provisions of Section 88 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which empowers the National Assembly to conduct investigations into the activities of any authority executing or administering laws made by the National Assembly;

    He said Section 29 (3) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 provides that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shall be responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of the midstream and downstream petroleum operations in the petroleum industry.

    He disclosed that the dispute between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Dangote Refinery arose over alleged arbitrary grant of importation licenses, allegation of corruption against the NMDPRA Chief Executive, Petroleum Motor Spirit pricing benchmarks, and other sundry issues.

    Waive expressed concern that if the brewing dispute between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Dangote Refinery is not nipped in the bud, it is likely to get escalated and thus lead to fuel supply crisis during the yuletide season and beyond.

    He said the Dangote Refinery represents a strategic national investment poised to end Nigeria’s historical dependence on imported Petroleum Motor Spirit, conserve foreign exchange, stabilize domestic supply, and moderate fuel pricing in the long term.

    He maintained that unresolved regulatory disagreements between a statutory regulator and the country’s largest domestic refinery pose a real risk of supply chain disruption, pricing volatility, policy inconsistency, and erosion of investor confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

    The Delta Lawmaker said that the absence of a clearly articulated, transparent, and consistently applied Petroleum Motor Spirit pricing framework creates room for arbitrary determinations, and market distortions to the detriment of Nigerian consumers.

    He stressed that Nigerians continue to experience frequent Petroleum Motor Spirit price fluctuations without adequate public disclosure of:(a) (b) (c) (d) Refinery gate prices;Regulatory pricing assumptions,Cost and margin components, and the comparative impact of local refining versus import-based pricing; convinced that energy security, downstream stability, and consumer protection cannot be achieved where regulatory uncertainty and pricing opacity persist.

    He said urgent legislative investigation is required to clarify regulatory boundaries, harmonize pricing expectations, and restore confidence in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum governance architecture.

  • NMDPRA, Dangote feud could discourage investors, coalition warns

    NMDPRA, Dangote feud could discourage investors, coalition warns

    A coalition of lawyers under the aegis of Lawyers in Defence of Democracy has said the ongoing feud between the leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, and industrialist Aliko Dangote, could discourage both local and foreign investors.

    The coalition, made up of 40 lawyers, said the disagreement was coming at a critical time when President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was focused on implementing workable policies to attract investment and revitalise the economy.

    The President of Dangote Industries Limited, Dangote, had accused the NMDPRA boss of undermining regulatory independence.

    He also alleged that Ahmed was living above his means as a public servant.

    But the coalition, in a statement signed by Emeka Okafor, National Coordinator, and Barrister Mohammed Bello, Secretary, on behalf of the 40 lawyers under the Lawyers in Defence of Democracy and Anti-Corruption, dismissed the corruption allegations or living above his means levelled against Ahmed.

    They noted that the liberalisation of the downstream petroleum sector, driven by regulatory reforms under Engr. Ahmed’s leadership at the NMDPRA has opened up the industry, attracted new investors, and dismantled monopolistic tendencies.

    “Ironically, the same reforms Dangote appears to be attacking are the very policies that enabled private sector participation, including the establishment of the Dangote Refinery,” the statement said.

    According to the lawyers, the sector has witnessed renewed investor confidence, with additional refineries beyond the Dangote Refinery already completed or nearing commissioning.

    A development they attributed to transparent and firm regulatory oversight by the NMDPRA.

    The organisation reaffirmed its opposition to monopoly in the petroleum industry, insisting that Ahmed’s regulatory stance has promoted competition, fairness, and national interest.

    “As a group, we state unequivocally that the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, Engr. Farouk Ahmed has not only been committed to his statutory responsibilities but has also remained clean of corruption based on our independent findings,” the statement read.

    While reiterating their commitment to accountability and good governance, the lawyers urged Nigerians to disregard the unsubstantiated allegations.

    The coalition called on stakeholders to respect the autonomy of regulatory institutions and desist from actions capable of destabilising critical sectors of the economy.

    They called on the Federal Government to continue to support reform-driven, independent, and professional leadership at the NMDPRA in the overall interest of national development.

  • Dangote locks horns with NMDPRA

    Dangote locks horns with NMDPRA

    • Industrialist seeks probe of agency
    • Petrol to sell for N740 from tomorrow

    Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals yesterday accused the regulating agency of downstream sector of undermining its refinery.

    He accused Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of economic sabotage and urged the government to probe its activities.

    President of the Dangote Refinery, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who spoke in Lagos yesterday at a news conference urged the government to also probe NMDPRA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Farouk Ahmed.

    He accused NMDPRA leadership of colluding with international traders and oil importers to frustrate local refining through the continued issuance of import licences for petroleum products.

    Alleging that Ahmed had been living above his means, Dangote said the bills being picked by the NMDPRA boss  raised serious questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum sector.

    He assured of further fall in the pump price of petrol. He said the product would sell at no more than N740 per litre from tomorrow in Lagos, because of his refinery’s reduction of gantry price to N699 per litre.

    He said MRS filling stations would be the first to reflect the new pricing.

    Expressing concern over the state of the downstream sector, Dangote said Nigeria’s continued reliance on fuel imports was harming local production and discouraging investment in domestic refining.

    He said import licences covering approximately 7.5 billion litres of PMS had reportedly been issued for the first quarter of 2026, despite the availability of significant domestic refining capacity.

    According to him, modular refineries are already struggling under the current policy environment and on the brink of extinction, while the persistent issuance of import permits further weakens the sector.

    Read Also: Tunji-Ojo: Nigeria’s future depends on unity, national renewal

    Dangote said: “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.”

    The business mogul said: “The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), or any other body deemed appropriate by the government, can investigate him.

    He described the downstream petroleum sector as being under severe strain, alleging the presence of entrenched interests that profit 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 long-standing calls for value addition and domestic refining. The volume of imports being allowed into the country is unethical and does a disservice to Nigeria,” he added.

    Dangote stressed the need for a clear separation between regulatory oversight and commercial interests, warning that allowing traders to influence regulation would undermine the integrity of the sector.

    “The downstream sector must not be destroyed by personal interests. A trader should never be a regulator. Forty-seven licences have been issued, yet no new refineries are being built because the environment is not conducive,” he said.

    He maintained that Nigerians would ultimately benefit from local refining, fuel importers incur losses. Dangote said he would not relent in ensuring that Nigerians enjoy the benefits of domestic refining, noting that the company was working around the clock to ensure that recent reductions in the gantry price were fully reflected at the retail level.

    “From Tuesday (tomorrow)”, he said, “all MRS filling stations would begin selling PMS at prices not exceeding N740 per litre, starting in Lagos.”

    He added that the refinery had reduced its minimum purchase requirement from two million litres to 500,000 litres to enable more marketers, including members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), to participate.

    “So, if you come to the refinery today, you will get PMS at N699 per litre,” he said.

    Dangote explained that despite frustration and sabotage, the refinery would deploy its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks in the coming days and was prepared to procure additional units beyond the initial 4,000 if required to sustain affordable pricing nationwide.

    Responding to complaints from oil importers that the recent price reduction would result in losses, Dangote said the refinery was established primarily for the benefit of Nigerians.

    “Anyone who chooses to continue importing despite the availability of locally refined products should be prepared to face the consequences,” he said.

    He also highlighted quality differences, noting that products supplied through MRS and other off-takers from the refinery were straight-run fuels, unlike blended products imported from overseas markets.

    “Nigerians have a choice to buy better quality fuel at a more affordable price or to buy blended PMS at a higher rate. Importers can continue to lose, so long as Nigerians benefit,” he added.

    Dangote said the refinery was driven more by legacy than profit, noting that he could have invested the 20 billion dollars elsewhere if financial gain were his sole objective.

    He reaffirmed the plan to list the refinery on the Nigerian Exchange to allow Nigerians to own shares in the facility.

    “We want every living Nigerian to have the opportunity to benefit, no matter how small their holding. If the market takes 55 per cent and I retain 45 per cent, I am satisfied,” he said.

    Dangote explained that discussions were ongoing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to enable Nigerians to purchase shares in naira while receiving dividends in dollars.

    Dangote accused the NMDPRA of misrepresenting the refinery’s capacity by publishing off-take figures rather than actual production levels.

    “We have the capacity to meet local demand, and we have sufficient refined products in stock. But to keep prices high, imports are deliberately encouraged,” he said, adding that attempts were being made to push the refinery into exporting products only for them to be re-imported into Nigeria at higher prices.

    “This refinery is for Nigerians first, and I am not giving up,” he said.

    Dangote also explained that the refinery imports an average of 100 million barrels of crude oil annually from the United States, a figure expected to rise to 200 million barrels following expansion, due to insufficient domestic crude supply.

    He added that the refinery also sources crude from Ghana and other countries, while exporting jet fuel and gasoline to the United States (U.S.).

    Dangote further alleged that domestic refiners are forced to buy Nigerian crude at premiums of up to four dollars per barrel from the trading arms of international oil companies, placing them at a competitive disadvantage.

    He called on the government to ensure crude oil taxes are assessed based on actual transaction values, warning that the current system allows under-declaration and revenue losses.