The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, has denied issuing any statement in response to recent corruption allegations made against him.
In a disclaimer released on Wednesday, Ahmed said a statement circulating online and attributed to him did not originate from him and was neither written nor authorised by him.
“My attention has been drawn to a purported response I was said to have made on the recent allegations against my person. I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me,” he said.
Ahmed’s clarification comes amid controversy sparked by allegations from billionaire businessman and Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who accused the NMDPRA boss of corruption. Dangote had alleged that Ahmed spent millions of dollars on the education of his children abroad using illicit funds.
Ahmed said he deliberately chose not to respond publicly to the allegations, citing his role as a regulator in a critical sector of the economy.
“While I am aware of the wild and spurious allegations made against me and my family and the frenzy it has generated, as a regulator of a sensitive industry, I have opted not to engage in public brickbat,” he said.
He added that the matter has been referred to a formal investigative body and expressed confidence that the process would clear his name.
“Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken it to a formal investigative institution. I believe that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distil the issues and to clear my name,” Ahmed stated.
The disclaimer was signed by Ahmed in his capacity as Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA.
Meanwhile, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed it is investigating a petition filed against Ahmed by Dangote. The petition, submitted on December 16, 2025, through Dangote’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), called for the investigation, prosecution and possible arrest of the NMDPRA chief over alleged corruption and financial impropriety.
According to the petition, Ahmed allegedly spent over $7 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland, reportedly paying upfront for a six-year period without a lawful source of income to justify the expenditure.
The petition further alleged that Ahmed abused his office in violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and engaged in unlawful spending of public funds running into millions of dollars.
