The Nigerian House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources has intervened in a dispute between the Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The committee’s move aims to address growing tensions in the downstream petroleum sector, sparked by allegations and counter-claims between the two parties.
The committee, led by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Hon. Henry Okogie, summoned the parties to present their grievances and allegations. The lawmakers ordered a halt to all media hostilities pending the outcome of their investigation, which is expected to be swift and concluded within days.
The emergency meeting was convened in response to concerns raised by stakeholders about the potential impact of the dispute on the sector’s stability. Ugochinyere stated that the committee is committed to finding a lasting solution to the issues, adding that the stability achieved in the sector must be protected.
At the center of the dispute is an allegation by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, against the NMDPRA’s CEO, Farouk Ahmed, accusing him of corruption. Dangote claimed that Ahmed spent $5 million on his children’s education in Switzerland, which he argued was inconsistent with a public servant’s income.
The committee has resolved to invite Dangote and the NMDPRA leadership to provide detailed explanations on the issues fueling the dispute. The lawmakers believe that understanding the underlying problems is crucial to brokering a lasting solution. They have also appealed to both parties to cease public exchanges and media comments while the legislative intervention is ongoing.
The committee’s investigation will examine critical industry concerns, including the issuance of import licenses and the capacity of domestic refineries to meet Nigeria’s daily petroleum needs. Ugochinyere assured that all outstanding matters would be thoroughly examined when key stakeholders appear before the committee.
The intervention comes amid heightened public scrutiny of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry, with expectations high around local refining capacity, regulatory clarity, and stable fuel supply. The committee’s decision reflects its commitment to finding a sustainable solution to the dispute, which is in the national interest.