The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, has formally disowned a lengthy statement currently circulating on social media that was purported to be his response to corruption allegations made by Aliko Dangote.
In a new disclaimer released on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Ahmed clarified that the viral document did not emanate from him or his office, describing it as “unauthorized.”
Ahmed’s latest stance signals a shift from public defense to reliance on formal investigative processes. “I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me,” Ahmed stated, referring to a viral post that had attempted to explain his finances in detail.
The NMDPRA boss noted that as a regulator of a sensitive industry, he has deliberately opted not to engage in public “brickbat” (hostile verbal exchanges) despite what he termed “wild and spurious allegations” against his family.
Ahmed welcomed the news that the allegations have been submitted to a formal investigative institution, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He expressed confidence that this would provide a “dispassionate” environment to clear his name.
The feud escalated on Tuesday, 16 December when Aliko Dangote officially submitted a petition to the ICPC.
The confusion over the viral statement highlights the intense media war surrounding this case. Earlier reports (from Tuesday) suggested Ahmed had defended the tuition payments by citing merit-based scholarships and family trust funds; however, his latest disclaimer effectively wipes the slate clean, insisting he will only speak through official channels.
The House of Representatives and the ICPC are now the primary theaters for this conflict. Both parties have been summoned by lawmakers, who have urged an immediate end to public commentary to allow for a sober investigation into the impact on Nigeria’s energy security.
