Nigeria’s petroleum sector faces significant leadership upheaval following the resignations of Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and Gbenga Komolafe, his counterpart at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Confirmed by the Presidency, these departures are widely attributed to an escalating dispute triggered by allegations and a formal petition from Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, against Mr. Ahmed. The controversy centres on fuel importation policies, pricing, and regulatory oversight. President Bola Tinubu has since nominated Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan and Engr Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as their replacements, seeking expedited Senate confirmation.

The immediate catalyst for Mr. Ahmed’s resignation was Mr. Dangote’s public accusation of economic sabotage and questioning of the regulator’s personal wealth. Mr. Dangote specifically alleged that Mr. Ahmed spent approximately $5 million on the secondary education of his four children in Switzerland. These claims rapidly intensified, culminating in a formal petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) for a thorough investigation. Following the petition and public outcry, Mr. Ahmed was summoned to the Presidential Villa, where his resignation was subsequently announced, pre-empting any official inquiry.

While Mr. Komolafe was not directly involved in the immediate fuel importation dispute, his resignation is linked to a strategic decision by the Presidency for a simultaneous

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