The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the ongoing dispute between Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, and Ahmed Farouk, Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA):
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance during Tuesday’s plenary, sponsored by Midala Balami, who represents Askira Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency of Borno State.
Balami drew lawmakers’ attention to recent public exchanges between the two parties, including a newspaper publication in which Dangote alleged that Farouk spent about $5 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland over six years.
According to the advert, the annual cost of tuition, travel, and upkeep was put at about $200,000 per child, amounting to roughly $800,000 each year.
The businessman also claimed that additional living expenses and airfares over the six-year period brought the total spending close to $4.8 million, raising questions about the source of the funds.
Lawmakers noted that the disagreement intensified in July 2024 after the NMDPRA boss publicly stated that locally refined petroleum products, including those from Dangote refinery, were of lower quality than imported fuel.
Dangote rejected the claim and later demonstrated the quality of his refinery’s diesel during an oversight visit by members of the National Assembly.
Presenting the motion, Balami warned that the lingering conflict could negatively affect fuel supply, pricing stability, and investor confidence in the downstream petroleum sector.
He stressed that Dangote’s refinery plays a strategic role in reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petrol, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising domestic fuel availability, and easing pressure on pump prices.
The motion was unanimously adopted after a voice vote conducted by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
Following the resolution, the House mandated its Committees on Petroleum Resources (Midstream and Downstream) to investigate the matter, consult relevant stakeholders, and submit recommendations within four weeks.
