By Charles Pemu 
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has officially confirmed the commencement of an investigation into the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed. This high-stakes probe follows a formal petition lodged on December 16, 2025, by the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who has leveled serious allegations of financial impropriety and abuse of office against the regulatory boss.
The petition, filed through legal counsel Ogwu Onoja (SAN), calls for a comprehensive inquiry into the source of funds utilized by Ahmed for the education of his four children in Switzerland. Dangote alleges that the NMDPRA chief spent a staggering $7 million on upfront tuition fees for a six-year period, an expenditure the billionaire businessman claims is inconsistent with any lawful source of income. The document asserts that such “monumental corruption” undermines public trust and violates the extant provisions of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
Beyond the personal financial claims, Aliko Dangote has characterized the regulator’s actions as a form of economic sabotage that could discourage industrial growth and international investment. The petition suggests that public funds were diverted for private use, further fueling recent protests by civil society groups concerned with transparency in the oil and gas sector. Dangote has urged the ICPC to exercise its statutory powers under Section 19 of the ICPC Act, noting that a successful prosecution could result in a five-year prison sentence without the option of a fine.
The timing of this legal move coincides with an ongoing “cold war” within the downstream petroleum sector. Since the commissioning of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, disagreements between the refinery and the NMDPRA have intensified over issues ranging from crude oil supply access and import licenses to pricing transparency. Ahmed and the NMDPRA had previously dismissed similar allegations earlier this year, describing them as orchestrated smear campaigns designed to discredit the authority’s leadership and its regulatory reforms.
In a swift counter-reaction, a diverse coalition of industry players, lawyers, and student groups has risen to defend the NMDPRA chief, describing the petition as an attempt at “media conviction.” The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) passed a vote of confidence in Ahmed, arguing that his regulatory efforts are focused on dismantling monopolies and fostering a competitive free market. PETROAN National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, warned that public attacks on a sitting regulator could erode confidence in Nigeria’s institutions and discourage foreign direct investment.
Similarly, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and a group of over 40 lawyers have condemned the claims as baseless fabrications. They argued that if genuine concerns existed, they should be resolved through established administrative channels rather than high-profile media campaigns. These supporters emphasize that the NMDPRA must remain a neutral statutory body, insulated from corporate intimidation or pressure, to ensure the long-term stability of the midstream and downstream sectors.
The ICPC’s confirmation of the investigation, as stated by spokesperson John Odey, marks a significant turning point in the relationship between Nigeria’s largest private investor and its primary energy regulator. While the anti-graft agency prepares to verify the facts, legal experts stress the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence. The outcome of the probe is expected to have far-reaching implications for the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the broader economic revitalisation efforts under the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
As the industry awaits the findings of the ICPC, the focus remains on whether the sector can achieve a balance between robust regulation and private industrial growth. The controversy highlights the delicate interplay of governance and compliance in an industry that remains the lifeblood of the Nigerian economy.