The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, has publicly denied authorship of a statement circulating online in response to serious allegations made against him by the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
Ahmed made the clarification in a brief response released on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, stating that the viral statement attributed to him did not originate from his office and was not authorised by him or the regulatory authority he leads.
Okay News reports that the controversy follows comments made by Dangote during a press briefing held on Sunday at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery located in Lekki, Lagos State, where the billionaire industrialist called for a comprehensive investigation into Ahmed’s personal finances and lifestyle.
During the briefing, Dangote specifically questioned the source of funds allegedly used to educate Ahmed’s children abroad, urging the regulator to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal to provide a public explanation regarding his financial capacity.
“I have had people complaining about a regulator who has actually put his children in secondary school. That secondary school education, which is six years, four of them cost Nigeria $5m. You cannot imagine somebody paying $5m for educating four children,” Dangote said.
Beyond the public remarks, Dangote formally submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, requesting a detailed probe into Ahmed’s financial dealings. He further alleged that some regulatory decisions taken under Ahmed’s leadership, including the issuance of fuel importation licences, amounted to economic sabotage that could erode investor confidence and public trust in the petroleum sector.
On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, a document purportedly signed by Ahmed surfaced on social media, appearing to respond directly to the allegations. However, officials within the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority dismissed the document as false and misleading.
Speaking directly on the matter, Ahmed stated that he deliberately avoided engaging in public exchanges despite being aware of the accusations levelled against him and members of his family.
“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,” Ahmed said.
He added, “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 brickbats.”
Ahmed welcomed the decision to take the allegations to a formal investigative body, expressing confidence that the process would allow for an objective review of the claims and an opportunity for him to 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,” he concluded.
