Aliko Dangote’s renewed allegations against Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), have escalated into a full-blown war over Nigeria’s fuel supply and pricing structure. Dangote, whose refinery has slashed petrol prices to ₦699 per litre accuses Ahmed of economic sabotage and collusion with fuel importers to undermine domestic refining.
We are trying to bring relief to Nigerians, but the regulator is enabling importers to flood the market and distort pricing,” Dangote said at a recent press briefing
At the heart of the feud is Dangote’s claim that Ahmed spent over $5 million on his children’s education in Switzerland, a figure Dangote says is incompatible with Ahmed’s public salary.
ZNO: the names of the children have been blurred as we consider the children names should be off-limits
💣 The Refinery vs. The Regulator
Dangote alleges that NMDPRA continues to issue import licenses for refined petroleum products despite his refinery’s capacity to meet domestic demand. This, he argues, keeps Nigeria dependent on foreign fuel and suppresses the impact of his refinery’s price cuts.
Dangote has formally petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), demanding an investigation into Ahmed’s financial conduct and regulatory decisions. The move has drawn mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a strategic push to consolidate market dominance, while others see it as a genuine call for accountability.