The Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, has resigned from office amid corruption allegations levelled against him by the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, in which he also announced the resignation of Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
According to Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the names of two nominees to the Senate for confirmation as replacements for the outgoing chief executives.
The President is seeking the expedited confirmation of Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as CEO of the NUPRC and Saidu Mohammed as Chief Executive of the NMDPRA.
“The two nominees are seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry,” the statement said.
Hours before his resignation became public, Ahmed was seen at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he met briefly with President Tinubu.
Dressed in traditional attire, the Bauchi-born regulator reportedly spent less than 30 minutes at the State House before departing.
When approached by journalists, Ahmed declined to comment, saying:
“It’s already late for an interview. It’s past 5 p.m. Work has closed.”
Although the purpose of the visit was not disclosed, it came amid a public dispute between Ahmed and Dangote.
The Dangote Group chairman had petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accusing the NMDPRA chief of corruption, financial impropriety, and actions allegedly undermining domestic refining efforts.
The controversy had sparked intense public debate over regulatory integrity in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, with calls from various quarters for a thorough investigation.
Ahmed had earlier dismissed the allegations as “wild and spurious,” stating that he preferred to defend himself before a formal investigative body rather than engage in public exchanges.
