The Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has stepped in to quell the escalating dispute between Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The committee urged both sides to suspend further public attacks and summoned Dangote and NMDPRA chief executive officer Farouk Ahmed to an emergency meeting. The intervention was prompted by a wave of allegations and counter‑allegations that have heightened tensions and threatened the fragile stability recently achieved in the downstream petroleum sector.
Committee Chairman Ikenga Ugochinyere expressed concern that the conflict could undermine sectoral stability. He said the committee’s aim is to uncover the root causes of the disagreement and devise sustainable solutions. Petitions submitted to the committee have raised critical industry issues, including the issuance of import licences and doubts about whether domestic refineries can meet Nigeria’s daily petroleum requirements. Ugochinyere assured that all outstanding matters will be thoroughly examined when Dangote, the NMDPRA, and other key stakeholders appear before the committee.
The dispute resurfaced after Dangote accused the NMDPRA CEO of economic sabotage and claimed that Ahmed had paid $5 million in tuition fees for his children. The committee appealed to both parties to refrain from media exchanges while the House conducts its intervention, warning that continued public commentary could exacerbate the situation.
By reviewing the concerns raised by Dangote and the NMDPRA, the committee hopes to develop resolutions that offer lasting, sustainable solutions for the downstream petroleum sector. The appeal for both sides to suspend further accusations serves the national interest, and cooperation from all parties is expected to resolve the issues amicably. The forthcoming meeting between the committee, Dangote, and the NMDPRA should clarify the underlying problems and help formulate resolutions that benefit the sector, marking a positive step toward a lasting solution to the dispute.
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