The Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory
Authority (NMDPRA), Engr Farouk Ahmed, has denied speculations that he travelled out of the country without official authorisation.
Ahmed, who gave the clarification in Abuja on Monday, said contrary to speculations, he travelled abroad for an official engagement with the full approval of the relevant authorities, adding that he was not under any investigation from any quarters.
Recently, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) accused Mr Ahmed of travelling out of the country without approval from the appropriate quarters contrary to the directive in a circular by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with reference number 58775/II/319 dated December 11, 2024.
The AGF circular had indicated that all proposed public-funded international travels by government officials were subjected to the approval of Mr. President to be obtained prior to the date of the expected travel.
The students body had alleged that NMDPRA, which Mr Ahmed is the Chief Executive, did not have any significant achievements to show for its mandate in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.
But, the National Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Adeyemi Samson Ajasa, in a letter titled, ‘Re: Clarification on Allegation against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and the NMDPRA’ said the allegations were untrue.
Ajasa, in a press statement dated June 2, 2025 said: “We have discovered that the issues raised in our earlier correspondence are unfounded, misleading, and do not accurately reflect the true state of affairs within the agency. We wish to reaffirm our readiness to collaborate with Engr. Farouk Ahmed and the NMDPRA to bridge the communication gap
between the youth and student constituency and the agency.”
The spokesperson said further review of the activities of the NMDPRA under the leadership of Engr Ahmed revealed that the agency recorded remarkable achievements and successes in delivering its mandates as dictated by the the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
He said apart from emplacing mechanisms that ensured energy security for the country over the years by ensuring the supply of feedstock to domestic refineries, gas-based industries and other midstream facilities, the agency has taken bold steps to cushion the negative impact of the removal of subsidy on petrol in the form of price stability, adequate product supply across the country and complete elimination of fuel queues in the country.
Ajasa said the findings showed the NMDPRA has also midwifed the growth of midstream facilities and natural gas utilisation, established cost-reflective pricing and tariffing, and provided regulatory support to the Decade of Gas Programme, Presidential CNG Initiative and the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund.
Besides, NANS said Ahmed, who recently joined the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) as an Executive Board member, places high premium on gas utilisation as the tool for industrialisation and prosperity of Nigeria.
“Just a few weeks ago, Ahmed authorised the issuance of two licenses to the JEX market to establish Gas Clearing House and Settlement Platform, the first of its kind in Africa, for the trading of gas,” he said.
The NMDPRA said it is also finalising plans to establish a petroleum products pricing reference hub for West Africa.
“These facilities are expected to place Nigeria in its rightful position as the regional hub for energy transactions.
“Another key strategy adopted by NMDPRA has been effective
collaboration with industry players, government agencies and partners leading to enhanced service delivery to consumers and industry stakeholders.
“These mark a milestone coinciding with two years of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformative administration.d
“The Authority has also ensured that its regulations and guidelines are inclusive by engaging relevant stakeholders in framing its regulatory requirements, effectively transforming the regulatory space into a business enabling environment,” the agency said.
