Farouk Ahmed has resigned from his position as Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The resignation follows heightened scrutiny triggered by public allegations made by Dangote Group Chairman, Aliko Dangote, who accused Ahmed of financial impropriety, including claims that he spent about $5 million on his children’s education abroad despite having spent his career in government service.
The allegations intensified attention on governance and regulatory conduct within the midstream and downstream petroleum sector, placing the operations of the authority under renewed public and institutional focus.
NMDPRA is a key pillar of Nigeria’s post-PIA regulatory architecture, with responsibility for ensuring transparency, efficiency, and compliance across petroleum transportation, storage, refining, and distribution.
Leadership stability at the authority is widely regarded as essential, particularly amid ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s energy market and efforts to improve investor confidence.
While no official explanation was provided for the resignation, the development is widely seen as part of a broader reassessment of regulatory leadership within the oil and gas sector.
In recent months, Nigeria’s petroleum regulators have faced increasing pressure over policy consistency, regulatory clarity, and engagement with major industry stakeholders.
Ahmed’s departure is expected to prompt a transition process, with the Federal Government moving to nominate a successor subject to the required approval processes.
Market participants are expected to closely watch the appointment of new leadership at the authority, given its implications for regulatory direction, sector governance, and investor sentiment.
The resignation adds to the evolving landscape of Nigeria’s energy regulation, as authorities continue to recalibrate oversight structures in line with the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act and broader economic reform agenda.