The allegations that the Chief Executive of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr Farouk Ahmed travelled out of the country without authorisation has proven to be untrue as the CEO travelled on official engagement with the full approval of relevant authorities, and that the high-ranking official is not under any investigation.
It may be recalled that in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with reference number 58775/II/319 dated 11 December 2024, directed that all proposed public-funded international travels are subjected to the approval of Mr. President which must be obtained before the expected date of travel.
Meanwhile, in a letter titled, ‘Re: Clarification on Allegation against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and the NMDPRA’ the National Public Relations Officer of the
National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Adeyemi Samson Ajasa, said the allegations were untrue. Ajasa, in a press statement dated 02 June 2025 said: “We have discovered that the issues raised in our earlier correspondence are unfounded, misleading, and do not accurately reflect the true state of affairs within the agency. We wish to reaffirm our readiness to collaborate with Engr. Farouk Ahmed and the NMDPRA to bridge the communication gap between the youth and student constituency and the agency.”
Further review of the activities of the NMDPRA under the leadership of Engr Ahmed revealed that the agency has achieved remarkable successes in delivering its mandates as dictated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The agency has emplaced mechanisms that ensured energy security for the country over the years by ensuring supply of feedstock to domestic refineries, gas-based industries and other midstream facilities. The bold step taken by Mr President to remove subsidy on petrol has ushered in price stability, adequate product supply across the country and eliminated fuel queues completely.
The agency has also midwifed the growth of midstream facilities and natural gas utilisation, established cost reflective pricing and tariffing, and provided regulatory support to the Decade of Gas Programme, Presidential CNG Initiative and the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund. Ahmed, who recently joined the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) as an Executive Board member, places high premium on gas utilisation as the tool for industrialisation and prosperity of Nigeria.
Just a few weeks ago, Ahmed authorised the issuance of two licenses to the JEX market to establish Gas
Clearing House and Settlement Platform for the trading of gas, which is the first of its kind in Africa. The NMDPRA is also finalising plans to establish a petroleum products pricing reference hub for West Africa. These are expected to place Nigeria in its rightful position as the regional hub for energy transactions.
These mark a milestone coinciding with two years of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformative administration.
The Authority has also ensured that its regulations and guidelines are inclusive by engaging relevant stakeholders in framing its regulatory requirements, effectively transforming the regulatory space into a business enabling environment. Another key strategy adopted by NMDPRA has been effective collaboration with industry players, government agencies and partners leading to enhanced service delivery to consumers and industry stakeholders.