The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, has denied issuing any public statement in response to allegations made against him by the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, describing the circulating message as false and unauthorised.

In a brief statement released on Wednesday, Ahmed clarified that he neither authored nor approved the statement that went viral on social media following Dangote’s claims. He stressed that the document being shared did not emanate from him or the authority.

The controversy began on Sunday during a press briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, where Dangote publicly questioned the source of funds used by the NMDPRA boss, particularly alleging that Ahmed spent about $5 million on the secondary education of four of his children. Dangote called for a thorough investigation into Ahmed’s finances and urged him to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal to provide a public explanation.

Dangote further escalated the matter by petitioning the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleging that the regulator’s actions, including the granting of fuel import licences, amounted to economic sabotage capable of undermining investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

As public reactions intensified, a statement purportedly signed by Ahmed surfaced online, prompting confusion and speculation. However, the NMDPRA management dismissed the document as fake, noting that it did not represent the authority's position or that of its chief executive.

Addressing the situation, Ahmed said he was aware of the allegations and the public debate surrounding them but deliberately chose not to engage in media exchanges or personal attacks.

“My attention has been drawn to a purported response I was said to have made on the recent allegations against my person. I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me,” he said.

He described the allegations against him and his family as “wild and spurious,” adding that, as a regulator in a sensitive sector, he considered it more appropriate to allow due process to take its course rather than engage in public disputes.

Ahmed welcomed Dangote’s decision to involve the ICPC, expressing confidence that an independent investigation would provide clarity and allow the facts to be objectively examined.

“Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken it to a formal investigative institution. I believe that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distil the issues and to clear my name,” he stated.

The development adds another layer to the ongoing tension within Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, coming amid fierce competition, regulatory scrutiny, and public debate over transparency and accountability in the industry. As investigations proceed, stakeholders are watching closely for the outcome and its implications for regulation and investor confidence.