Oshiomhole Celebrates Farouk Ahmed’s Exit, Sparks Controversy With Hard-Hitting Remarks on Job Creation
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has ignited widespread debate after publicly celebrating the removal of Engr. Farouk Ahmed, former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), describing it as a victory for job creation and local industry
Speaking during a Senate session, the former Edo State governor said he celebrated Ahmed’s exit “last night,” arguing that regulatory policies under his leadership encouraged importation at the expense of local production and employment. In a statement that has since gone viral, Oshiomhole declared that “anyone who opposes job creation in Nigeria while preferring importation doesn’t deserve to live,” a remark that has drawn sharp reactions across political and civil society circles Oshiomhole insisted that Nigeria’s economic recovery depends on deliberate policies that prioritise domestic production, especially in the oil and gas sector. According to him, regulators who favour import licences over supporting local refineries undermine national development, worsen unemployment and weaken the economy The senator’s comments came amid the recent shake-up in the petroleum regulatory space following the resignation of Farouk Ahmed. Ahmed stepped aside after weeks of public controversy linked to allegations by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, who accused the NMDPRA leadership of frustrating local refining efforts and favouring fuel importation. Dangote has also petitioned anti-corruption agencies to investigate the matter. While supporters of Oshiomhole say his comments reflect public frustration over unemployment and import dependence, critics have condemned the language as extreme and inappropriate, urging political leaders to separate policy criticism from inflammatory rhetoric. Meanwhile, calls have intensified for a thorough investigation into the allegations surrounding Ahmed’s tenure, with several groups insisting that resignation should not end accountability. Anti-corruption agencies have been urged to probe the claims transparently to restore confidence in the petroleum sector. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has since forwarded new nominees to the Senate to fill key regulatory positions, as the government seeks to stabilise the sector and signal a renewed focus on local refining, investment and job creation. As the debate continues, Oshiomhole’s remarks have once again highlighted the deep divisions over Nigeria’s economic direction, the role of regulators, and how far political leaders should go in expressing their positions on national issues.
