House Orders Media Ceasefire, Summons Dangote and NMDPRA Boss Over Corruption Claims and Regulatory Tensions
The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) has intervened to halt a fresh wave of tension in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector following public allegations and counter-claims involving the leadership of the Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The joint committee, chaired by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Hon. Henry Okogie, announced the intervention after an emergency meeting convened in response to what lawmakers described as rising tensions capable of undermining the fragile stability recently achieved in the sector.
Following its deliberations, the committee summoned both parties to appear before it to formally present their grievances and defend their positions, while also directing that all media exchanges and public statements relating to the dispute be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to Hon. Ugochinyere, the lawmakers were compelled to act swiftly to prevent further escalation, especially at a time when government and industry stakeholders are working to stabilise fuel supply, pricing and regulation in the post-subsidy era.
“The key issue that necessitated this emergency meeting was the growing tension that has returned to the downstream sector as a result of concerns and allegations raised by Alhaji Aliko Dangote against the NMDPRA,” Ugochinyere said.
He added that the committee is determined to protect the progress already made in the sector and prevent developments that could reverse recent gains.
The lawmaker explained that the committee resolved to formally invite the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, alongside the leadership of the NMDPRA, to provide detailed explanations on the issues fuelling the dispute.
“We can only arrive at lasting solutions when we fully understand the root causes of this tension. That is why the committee resolved to write to Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the chief executive of the NMDPRA to appear before us and shed light on the allegations and counter-allegations,” he said.
In a move aimed at calming the situation, the committee also appealed to both parties to immediately halt media engagements and public exchanges while legislative intervention is ongoing.
“We have resolved to plead with the contending parties to cease fire, particularly in the media, so that the situation does not escalate any further,” Ugochinyere stated.
He stressed that the committee has the capacity and mandate to intervene decisively and resolve the matter in the national interest.
The chairman further disclosed that the committee has already received petitions raising serious concerns within the industry, including issues surrounding the issuance of petroleum import licences and questions about whether domestic refineries currently have the capacity to meet Nigeria’s daily fuel demand.
“These are weighty matters. Some relate to import licences, while others concern the ability of local refineries to produce sufficient volumes for national consumption. The committee’s investigation will address all of these issues,” he said.
Ugochinyere assured that all outstanding matters would be thoroughly examined when key stakeholders in the refining and regulatory space appear before the committee.
“Once Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the NMDPRA and other relevant stakeholders meet with the committee, we will get a clearer picture of what is truly happening and come up with resolutions that offer sustainable solutions for the sector,” he said.
Reiterating the committee’s position, the chairman urged all parties involved to suspend further accusations and public attacks while the House works towards resolving the dispute.
“We are appealing to all sides, both from the regulatory agency and the refining community to refrain from further exchanges while the committee addresses these issues,” he said.
Ugochinyere noted that the decisions announced were the unanimous outcome of the committee’s closed-door deliberations, a position he said was fully supported by his colleagues.
The intervention comes amid heightened public scrutiny of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry, particularly as expectations remain high over local refining capacity, regulatory clarity and stable fuel supply.
The renewed controversy follows allegations made on Sunday by the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, against the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed. Dangote accused Ahmed of corruption, alleging that he spent about $5 million on secondary school education for his children in Switzerland.
Dangote made the allegation during a media briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lekki, Lagos, describing the alleged expenditure as inconsistent with the earnings of a public servant and a potential threat to public confidence in regulatory institutions.
According to Dangote, the alleged sum covered six years of secondary education for four children, an amount he argued could not reasonably be explained by income from public service alone.
As of the time of filing this report, the NMDPRA had yet to issue an official response to the allegations. However, Dangote maintained that Nigerians deserve transparency and accountability, questioning how a public official could afford such expenses if public funds were being properly managed.
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