News

Over 50 CSOs Dismiss Corruption Allegations Against NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed

Published

5 months ago

December 16, 2025

…Accuse Dangote of undermining regulatory independence

Over fifty Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Monday rose in strong defence of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed, unanimously dismissing allegations of corruption levelled against him by Mr Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, as false, unfounded and unsupported by evidence.

The CSOs made their position known at a joint press conference in Abuja, where they described the allegations as a calculated attempt to discredit the leadership of the NMDPRA over its firm stance against monopolistic practices in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector.

Addressing journalists on behalf of the coalition, the Convener, Comrade Ibrahim Bello, who is also the National Coordinator of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI), said the organisations had conducted internal reviews and assessments and found no basis whatsoever for the claims of corruption against the NMDPRA boss.

“Our findings clearly show that Mr Farouk Ahmed has not engaged in any corrupt practice. Rather, he has been repositioning the downstream sector to promote fairness, competition and efficiency, while ensuring that no single entity monopolises the industry to the detriment of Nigerians,” Bello stated.

He added that the leadership of the NMDPRA under Ahmed has remained faithful to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), strengthening regulatory transparency and creating opportunities for more investors to participate in the sector.

The coalition specifically debunked claims attributed to Mr Dangote that the NMDPRA CEO allegedly paid five million United States dollars ($5 million) as school fees for his children in Switzerland, stressing that no proof or verifiable evidence had been provided to substantiate such assertions.

According to the CSOs, making such grave allegations in the media without recourse to due process poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s regulatory institutions and reform agenda.

Prominent members of the coalition who endorsed the position include Hajiya Fatima Sani, Executive Director of Citizens Watch for Good Governance (CWGG); Barrister Chukwudi Eze, Chairman of the Accountability and Democratic Values Initiative (ADVI); Dr Mrs Ngozi Okeke, President of the Nigerian Coalition Against Corruption and Waste (NCACW); and Pastor Emmanuel Adebayo, General Secretary of the Voice of Conscience Foundation (VOCF).

Others are Mr Tunde Ogunleye, National Convener of the Integrity Monitors Network (IMN); Ms Chioma Nwosu, Chairperson of Patriots for Transparent Procurement (PTP); Comrade Aisha Yusuf, National Secretary of the Civil Liberties and Anti-Corruption Movement (CLACOM); and Engr. Musa Abdullahi, Director of Programmes at the Due Process Advocacy Network (DPAN).

Also lending their voices were Prof. Grace Adeyemi, Board Chair of the National Alliance for Ethical Leadership (NAEL); Mr Segun Olawale, Spokesperson for the Citizens Coalition for Open Governance (CCOG); Barr. (Mrs.) Funmi Adewole, Legal Adviser to the Justice and Accountability Project (JAP); and Alhaji Usman Danladi, Northern Coordinator of the Nigerian Integrity and Development Forum (NIDF).

Regional leaders present included Rev. Fr. Joseph Okon, South-South Zonal Chairman of the Public Funds Protection Movement (PFPM); Ms Bolanle Adeoti, Women Leader of Transparency and Responsibility Advocates (TRA); Elder Peter Okonkwo, South-East Coordinator of the Good Governance Monitors Assembly (GGMA); and Mallam Bello Yakubu, North-West Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Crusaders Network (ACCN), alongside representatives of several other organisations.

The CSOs argued that the sustained attacks on the NMDPRA leadership stem from its refusal to compromise regulatory standards or allow any company to dominate the petroleum downstream space.

“We believe these allegations are aimed at intimidating the regulator because of its insistence on fairness, competition and value for Nigerians,” the coalition said.

While reaffirming their commitment to transparency and accountability, the organisations urged individuals and corporate entities with genuine grievances to follow due process, rather than resorting to media trials.

They called on Nigerians to disregard the unproven allegations, urged stakeholders in the petroleum sector to respect regulatory institutions, and appealed to the Federal Government to continue supporting the independence and reform-driven leadership of the NMDPRA.

The coalition concluded by reaffirming its full confidence in Mr Farouk Ahmed, describing him as a regulator whose actions have strengthened credibility, boosted stakeholder confidence and safeguarded the national interest in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum industry.

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FG Commits To National Development With Major Contract Agreements — Umahi

Published

19 hours ago

May 14, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has again signed landmark contract agreements with four (4) construction firms to execute critical road projects across the country, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The contract signing ceremony, held on Thursday at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, marks another major step in the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering durable, sustainable road infrastructure that enhances connectivity, stimulates economic growth, and improves the quality of life of Nigerians.

The four contractors and their respective projects are as follows:

1. Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited – Reconstruction of Mando (Kaduna) – Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State,

2. Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited – Dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road in Oyo and Ogun States,

3. Messrs Truecrete Solutions Limited – Construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road in Osun State and

4. Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited – Construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road in Osun and Oyo States.

Speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, described the projects as strategic national infrastructure designed to boost economic activities, improve transportation efficiency, and strengthen national integration. He noted that the reconstruction of the Mando (Kaduna) –Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State holds special significance, as it was one of the key infrastructure development commitments made by His Excellency, President Tinubu during the 2022/2023 electioneering campaigns. According to the Minister, the present administration remains resolute in its determination to deliver world-class infrastructure that will stand the test of time. “Our vision is to build roads that will last for generations. Under the Renewed Hope administration, we are determined to deliver infrastructure that can serve Nigerians for up to 100 years through the adoption of rigid pavement (concrete) technology,” Umahi stated.

The Minister commended the selected contractors for their competence, track records, and proven capacity, emphasising the Federal Government’s confidence in indigenous contractors. He particularly praised Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited, Truecrete Solutions Limited, and other indigenous firms for their commendable performances on previous projects across the country.

Umahi charged all contractors to mobilise to their respective project sites immediately and commence work without delay, stressing that the Ministry expects measurable progress within the stipulated timelines.

Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Olarinre Adeladan, who formally signed the contract agreements, described the occasion as the successful completion of the procurement process and the official commencement of project implementation.

He commended the leadership of the Ministry for its commitment to ensuring that projects reached the execution stage and reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to effective monitoring, quality assurance, and timely delivery.

Also speaking, the Director of Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Mr. Clement Ogbuagu, presented details of the awarded contracts as follows:

1. Reconstruction of Mando–Birnin Gwari Road, Kaduna State

Contractor: Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited

Contract Sum: ₦178,116,787,162.00

Length: 122 Kilometres

2. Dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road, Oyo and Ogun States

Contractor: JRB Construction Company Limited,

Contract Sum: ₦295,996,609,992.77

Length: 114.5 Kilometres (Single Carriageway Equivalent)

3. Construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road, Osun State

Contractor: Truecrete Solutions Limited

Contract Sum: ₦101,806,585,825.90

Length: 70 Kilometres (Single Carriageway Equivalent) and

4. Construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road, Osun State

Contractor: Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited

Contract Sum: ₦114,854,477,607.93

Length: 73 Kilometres

All the projects will be executed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology, in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to building durable, cost-effective, and sustainable road infrastructure nationwide.

The ceremony represents another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s road network and accelerate national economic development.

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