An energy expert and President of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Kunle Olubiyo, has weighed in on the renewed dispute between Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Refinery, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.
Nigerian Newssphere recalls that Dangote, during a media briefing in Lagos on Sunday, alleged that Ahmed paid about $5 million—estimated at over N7 billion—as secondary school fees for his four children in Switzerland. Dangote, however, did not provide further details to support the claim.
The billionaire industrialist also accused the NMDPRA boss of economic sabotage, alleging that regulatory actions were being used to encourage fuel importers to undermine his refinery operations.
Reacting to the allegations on Monday, Olubiyo described the reported sum as enormous, stating that such an amount could comfortably be used to establish a modular refinery in Nigeria.
“That is humongous. That amount can conveniently establish a functional modular refinery in Nigeria,” Olubiyo said.
He further urged relevant anti-corruption agencies to thoroughly investigate the allegations made by Dangote against Ahmed in the interest of transparency and accountability.
As of the time of filing this report, Ahmed, who oversees the regulation of Dangote Refinery and Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, has not officially responded to the accusations.
The latest exchange follows an earlier public disagreement between Dangote and Ahmed over claims that the $20 billion Dangote Refinery produces petrol with high sulphur content.
