Follow Us on Google
By John Ogunsemore
President of Senate, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Usman Nagwaza on Monday demanded the immediate suspension of Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, following serious corruption allegations levelled against him by President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote.
In a statement sent to Daily Sun, Nagwaza expressed “deep concern” over claims made by Dangote during a press briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Sunday.
Dangote accused Ahmed of economic sabotage, undermining domestic refining efforts, and living beyond his means, specifically alleging that the NMDPRA boss spent approximately $5 million on secondary school fees for his four children in Switzerland.
Nagwaza described the allegations as a “serious breach of trust” that could erode public confidence in the NMDPRA and the federal government’s anti-corruption efforts.
“As the umbrella body of Nigerian students, NANS is committed to promoting accountability and good governance in Nigeria. We believe that the allegations against the MD of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, are a serious breach of trust and require immediate action.
Other News
“The allegations have the potential to undermine the confidence of the Nigerian people in the NMDPRA and the government’s commitment to fighting corruption,” Nagwaza said.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend Ahmed within 72 hours to allow for an impartial investigation.
He said the association would picket the NMDPRA headquarters in Abuja should the president ignore the demand.
“If the suspension is not carried out within the next 72 hours, we will mobilise all of our structures across the country to prepare for a mass action of shutting down the head office of NMDPRA in Abuja,” he warned.
The allegations stem from an escalating dispute between Dangote Refinery and the NMDPRA over regulatory practices, including the issuance of import licenses for petroleum products and claims of misrepresentation of the refinery’s production capacity.
Dangote has called for a probe by bodies such as the Code of Conduct Bureau but stopped short of demanding Ahmed’s immediate removal, emphasising the need for due process.
