The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has described the resignation of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed, as a clear vindication of allegations earlier raised by President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC recalled that Dangote had recently accused the former NMDPRA boss of sharp practices and economic sabotage in the oil and gas sector.
MURIC expressed concern over what it described as the continued issuance of fuel importation licences at a time when the Dangote Refinery has attained production levels capable of meeting Nigeria’s domestic fuel demand.
Mr. Farouk Ahmed resigned on Wednesday alongside Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), following the appointment of new leadership for the oil regulatory agencies by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The organisation recalled that at a press conference on Monday, 15 December 2025, Alhaji Aliko Dangote publicly alleged that the NMDPRA leadership was involved in corruption and actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s economic interests.
According to MURIC, Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption stand at between 48 and 50 million litres, while the Dangote Refinery’s production capacity has reportedly increased from 650,000 barrels to about 1.4 million barrels per day. The refinery is also exporting petroleum products to Europe, the United States, Asia, and several African countries.
MURIC noted that countries such as Ghana, Angola, South Africa, Cameroon, Niger Republic, Chad and others are currently importing fuel produced by the Dangote Refinery.
“It is only logical to affirm that Dangote is now vindicated,” the statement said. “How can Nigeria continue to import fuel after attaining self-sufficiency in supply? The issuance of import licences under these circumstances beats logic.
“It therefore amounts to taking coal to Newcastle for a government agency to continue importing fuel into Nigeria. This is where Dangote’s allegation of economic sabotage gains weight and deserves serious attention.”
MURIC called on the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the allegations and ensure that regulatory agencies act strictly in the national interest.
