LAGOS, Nigeria – The long-simmering dispute between Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, and Nigeria's petroleum regulator intensified on December 14, 2025, when the billionaire businessman publicly accused Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), of corruption. During a press briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, Dangote alleged that Ahmed spent approximately $5 million on secondary school education for his four children in Switzerland, an amount he claimed is inconsistent with the earnings of a public servant.
Dangote, president and chief executive of Dangote Industries Limited, described the alleged expenditure as raising serious questions about potential conflicts of interest and economic sabotage in the downstream petroleum sector. "I’ve had people actually complaining about a regulator who put his children in secondary school, and that secondary school education, which is six years, for four of them cost Nigeria $5 million," Dangote stated. He emphasized the disparity with everyday Nigerians' struggles, noting, "From Sokoto, where he comes from, people are struggling to pay N100,000 for school fees. A lot of children are at home, not going to school, because of N100,000." Dangote contrasted this with his own choices, revealing that his children attended secondary schools in Nigeria despite his vast wealth.
The businessman called for an independent investigation by bodies such as the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) or Code of Conduct Tribunal, insisting Ahmed should explain the source of the funds without being immediately sacked. "No, I don’t want Farouk to be sacked. But I want Farouk to be investigated and then let the legal process take its toll," he said. Dangote warned that if Ahmed denies the allegation, he would publish the tuition records and pursue legal action to compel the Swiss schools to disclose payment details.
This is not the first time such claims have surfaced. In July 2025, civil society groups and protesters raised similar allegations, claiming Ahmed spent over $5.5 million on his children's foreign education. At the time, the NMDPRA dismissed the accusations as "false allegations" and part of an "orchestrated smear campaign" against its leadership.
As of December 15, 2025, neither Ahmed nor the NMDPRA has issued a direct response to Dangote's latest claims. When contacted by reporters on Sunday, NMDPRA spokesperson George Ene-Ita stated, "For now, no comment." However, over 50 civil society organizations (CSOs) rallied in defense of Ahmed on Monday, describing Dangote's allegations as "false, unfounded and unsupported by evidence." The coalition, led by Comrade Ibrahim Bello of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, accused Dangote of attempting to undermine regulatory independence amid disputes over fuel importation policies.
The personal accusation emerged amid broader criticisms from Dangote regarding what he termed "regulatory failures" and "economic sabotage" in Nigeria's petroleum sector. He accused the NMDPRA of colluding with international oil traders and importers to frustrate domestic refining by continuing to issue import licenses for petroleum products, despite the Dangote Refinery's capacity to meet national demand. "The volume of fuel imports being allowed into Nigeria is unethical and against national interest," Dangote said, warning that regulators should not act as traders. He noted that 47 refinery licenses have been issued, yet no significant new refineries have materialized due to a hostile environment.
Dangote also alleged that the NMDPRA misrepresents his refinery's production figures by publishing offtake volumes rather than actual output, and that domestic refiners face disadvantages, such as paying premiums of up to $4 per barrel for Nigerian crude from international oil companies' trading arms. He urged the government to ensure crude oil transactions are based on actual values to prevent revenue losses.
On a positive note for consumers, Dangote announced further price reductions, stating that petrol from his refinery would sell at no more than N740 per liter starting December 16, with MRS filling stations leading the rollout in Lagos. The refinery has lowered its minimum purchase requirement to 500,000 liters to enable wider participation by marketers, including independents.
The ongoing standoff highlights deep tensions in Nigeria's oil and gas industry, where the Dangote Refinery – the world's largest single-train facility with a 650,000 barrels-per-day capacity – aims to reduce reliance on imports. Critics argue that continued importation undermines local investment, while regulators maintain the need for market competition and energy security. Planned protests in Abuja and Lagos on December 17, organized by civil society groups demanding Ahmed's probe and removal, underscore the growing public scrutiny.
Energy experts have weighed in, with Kunle Olubiyo of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network suggesting the alleged $5 million could fund a modular refinery, and calling on anti-corruption agencies to investigate. As investigations remain pending and responses limited, the feud risks further polarizing stakeholders in a sector critical to Nigeria's economy.
