Petrol Price War Turns Dirty as Dangote Attacks NMDPRA Boss

Lagos, December 15, 2025 – The simmering conflict in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector exploded into personal allegations on Sunday as Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, publicly accused the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, of corruption and economic sabotage.

During a heated press briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, Dangote claimed Ahmed paid approximately $5 million for the secondary school education of his four children in Switzerland – an expenditure he argued is inconsistent with the income of a public official.

“I sent my own children to secondary schools here in Nigeria. How many Nigerians can afford to pay five million dollars for secondary school tuition, not university?” Dangote stated, urging authorities, including the Code of Conduct Bureau, to investigate. He emphasized that he was not calling for Ahmed’s removal but for accountability to protect public trust and investor confidence.

NMDPRA CEO travelled on official engagement, not under investigation’

These claims revive similar accusations made in July 2025 by protest groups, which NMDPRA dismissed as an “orchestrated smear campaign” based on falsehoods. As of publication, NMDPRA has offered no immediate response to the renewed allegations.

Broader Accusations of Economic Sabotage

Dangote went further, accusing NMDPRA leadership of colluding with international oil traders to frustrate local refining by recklessly issuing import licenses. He argued this enables the influx of substandard, cheaper imported fuels that undercut Dangote Refinery’s products, describing it as sabotage stronger than drug cartels.

Dangote stressed the need for clear separation between regulators and traders, warning that vested interests in imports threaten Nigeria’s energy security and industrialization.

Price War and Consumer Impact

Amid the feud, Dangote announced ongoing efforts to reduce ex-depot prices and ensure reductions reach consumers, with some stations expected to sell petrol below N740 per liter in coming days.

The escalating dispute highlights tensions in Nigeria’s transition to local refining, with implications for fuel prices, import dependency, and regulatory transparency. CivicWire.ng will provide updates as the story develops.