They described the allegations as a calculated attempt to discredit NMDPRA’s leadership over its anti-monopoly stance in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector.

PETROAN backs Farouk

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria criticised Dangote’s public allegations against Ahmed, declaring strong support for the NMDPRA leadership.

In a statement signed by Dr Joseph Obele, National Public Relations Officer, PETROAN called on President Tinubu to intervene in what it described as a deepening cold war in the downstream sector, warning that public attacks on regulators could damage investor confidence.

Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, PETROAN National President, said, “The ongoing allegations and verbal attacks directed at the leadership of the NMDPRA by the President of Dangote Group are capable of discouraging potential foreign investors and eroding confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory institutions.”

PETROAN passed a vote of confidence in Ahmed’s management, citing the authority’s reforms, regulatory clarity, and improvements in operational efficiency, transparency, and competition in the downstream sector. The association condemned Dangote’s negative public statements about Nigeria’s national refineries, warning that such comments could undermine investor confidence.

The retailers’ body also stressed that public announcements of petrol prices by any individual or organisation violated the Petroleum Industry Act, Section 205(1), which provides that wholesale and retail prices should be determined by free market conditions with limited regulatory oversight.

The association raised concerns over unresolved labour disputes involving the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria with the Dangote Refinery. PETROAN warned that prolonged conflicts could lead to supply disruptions, artificial scarcity, price instability, and weakened investor confidence.

“The current dirty price war is already causing collateral damage to all parties involved. Most of the aggressive price crashes appear designed to frustrate importers and are often executed below cost. This is unsustainable and harmful to the long-term stability of the downstream sector,” the statement added.

The association urged President Tinubu to intervene decisively to resolve the disputes, promote dialogue, uphold the Petroleum Industry Act, and restore stability in the downstream petroleum sector.

At a press briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, on Sunday, Dangote called for a full investigation into the source of funds used by Ahmed, urging him to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal to offer a public explanation.

“I’ve actually had people making complaints about a regulator who has actually put his children in secondary school. And that secondary school education, which is six years, four of them cost Nigeria $5m. I mean, you cannot imagine somebody paying $5m for educating four children,” Dangote said.

Dangote also petitioned the ICPC to probe Ahmed’s financial activities, while alleging that the regulator’s actions amounted to economic sabotage that could undermine public trust and investor confidence.

Ahmed and the NMDPRA had previously dismissed similar claims in July 2025, when another group accused the CEO of spending over $5.5m on foreign education for his children. At that time, the authority described the allegations as orchestrated smear campaigns designed to discredit its leadership and inconsistent with the facts.

Since the commencement of phased operations at the Dangote Refinery, tensions between the refinery and NMDPRA have been marked by disagreements over import licences, crude supply access, pricing transparency, and the broader role of domestic refineries in meeting Nigeria’s fuel demand.

The controversy has highlighted the tensions inherent in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, where regulatory reforms, investor interests, and the operations of domestic refineries intersect.

While Dangote’s petition has triggered formal investigation by the ICPC, legal experts, civil society groups, students, and industry stakeholders have emphasised due process, the presumption of innocence, and the need for collaborative engagement to ensure the sector remains stable, competitive, and attractive to investors.

With PETROAN, NANS, lawyers, and civil society groups backing Ahmed, the matter is expected to test the balance between regulatory authority and private sector interests, underscoring the delicate interplay of governance, compliance, and industrial growth in Nigeria’s vital oil and gas industry.