Reps Step Into Dangote–NMDPRA Face-Off, Summon Parties as Tensions Escalate
Amid intensifying acrimony between Dangote Group’s refinery leadership and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) has formally intervened, summoning top officials from both sides to appear before lawmakers for urgent discussions.
The move comes as public allegations and counter-claims between the private sector giant and the regulator have threatened to erode recent stability in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
The joint committee, chaired by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Hon. Henry Okogie, convened an emergency session on Monday to assess the situation described by lawmakers as “a growing tension capable of undermining sector stability.”
In written invitations issued by the committee, both Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, and the leadership of the NMDPRA were asked to present their respective positions, grievances, and supporting evidence directly to the National Assembly. Lawmakers also directed that all media hostilities and public exchanges be suspended immediately while the investigation is underway, an effort intended to prevent further escalation.
According to Hon. Ugochinyere, the committee’s intervention was “necessary to avert a deeper crisis” at a time when government and industry stakeholders are working to stabilise supply, pricing, and regulatory coherence in the post-fuel subsidy era.
He said that building a comprehensive understanding of the issues — beyond headlines and public statements — is essential to crafting durable solutions.
At the centre of the dispute are allegations by Dangote Group against the regulator claiming that the NMDPRA’s policies, especially in the issuance of fuel import licences, are undermining domestic refining efforts and the viability of local refineries.
In a widely circulated media briefing, Dangote accused the regulator’s CEO, Farouk Ahmed, of corruption — including claims that the regulator issued millions of dollars in overseas school fees for his children, a charge the regulator has yet to address publicly.
Dangote’s criticisms have also included allegations that regulatory actions favour fuel imports over domestic production, forcing refined products back into Nigeria from abroad even as local facilities like his 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lagos ramp up output. Independent reporting indicates that Dangote has sought external scrutiny and probe into the conduct of the regulatory authority, a stance that has amplified public debate about Nigeria’s energy policy direction.
The House committee’s summons signals a formal legislative step toward clarifying the underlying issues and potentially shaping regulatory reforms. It also reflects broader concern in Abuja over market stability, import dependence, and the need to support local refining capacity without undermining competitive practices.
Stakeholders on all sides have yet to confirm dates for the scheduled hearings. However, lawmakers have pledged to expedite the process and release recommendations shortly after both parties appear before the committee.
As events unfold, the intervention highlights the complex interplay between government oversight, private sector investment, and Nigeria’s overarching goal of energy security in a climate of heightened scrutiny and public interest.
