Dangote calls for probe of NMDPRA CEO over fuel import licences

President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has called for the investigation of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, over alleged actions he described as economic sabotage against Nigeria’s domestic refining sector.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Dangote accused the leadership of the NMDPRA of frustrating local refining through the continued issuance of petroleum product import licences, despite growing domestic refining capacity.

According to Dangote, the regulator’s actions have sustained Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports and discouraged investment in local refining.

He claimed that import licences covering about 7.5 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) had reportedly been issued for the first quarter of 2026, even as local refiners struggle to operate profitably.

Dangote also alleged that Engr. Ahmed was living beyond his legitimate means, citing claims that four of his children attend secondary schools in Switzerland at a cost of several million dollars.

He said the allegations raise serious concerns about conflicts of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum sector.

“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,” Dangote said.

He urged the Code of Conduct Bureau and other relevant agencies to investigate the matter, adding that he was prepared to provide evidence to support his claims if challenged.

Dangote warned that continued importation of refined products was harming local production and placing modular refineries on the brink of collapse. He also criticised what he described as entrenched interests benefiting from fuel imports at the expense of national development.

On pricing, Dangote assured Nigerians that the pump price of PMS would fall further, announcing that petrol would sell at no more than ₦740 per litre from Tuesday, starting in Lagos, following a reduction in the refinery’s gantry price to ₦699 per litre. He said MRS filling stations would be the first to implement the new price.

He added that the refinery had reduced its minimum purchase requirement to enable more marketers to participate and was prepared to deploy its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks nationwide to ensure affordability.

Dangote maintained that Nigerians would ultimately benefit from domestic refining, even as fuel importers incur losses. He reiterated plans to list the Dangote Petroleum Refinery on the Nigerian Exchange to allow Nigerians to own shares in the facility.

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

The NMPDRA has yet to respond to the allegations.

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