NMDPRA Chief Executive Obtained Relevant Travel Approval, Not Under Investigation
By Gift Eguavoen
The allegations that the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr Farouk Ahmed, travelled out of the country without authorisation has proven to be untrue.
According to available facts, the NMDPRA boss travelled on official engagement with the full approval of relevant authorities, and is therefore, not under any investigation.
Recall that a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with reference number 58775/II/319 dated 11 December 2024, directed that all proposed public-funded international travels are subjected to the approval of the President which must be obtained before the expected date of travel.
Meanwhile, Extractive360 reports that in a letter titled, ‘Re: Clarification on Allegation against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and the NMDPRA’ the National Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Adeyemi Samson Ajasa, stated that the allegations were untrue.
Ajasa, in a press statement dated 02 June 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 NMDPRA under the leadership of Engr Ahmed has achieved remarkable successes in delivering its mandates as dictated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The agency has emplaced mechanisms for energy security in the country over the years by ensuring supply of feedstock to domestic refineries, gas-based industries and other midstream facilities.
Furthermore, the NMDPRA has midwifed the growth of midstream facilities and natural gas utilisation, established cost reflective pricing and tariff, and provided regulatory support to the Decade of Gas Programme, Presidential CNG Initiative and the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund.
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.
Only a few weeks ago, the NMDPRA Chief Executive authorised the issuance of two licenses to the JEX market to establish Gas Clearing House and Settlement Platform for the trading of gas, which is the first of its kind in Africa, while also finalising plans to establish a petroleum products pricing reference hub for West Africa. The initiatives are expected to place Nigeria in its rightful position as the regional hub for energy transactions.
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 has also adopted a key strategy of effective collaboration with industry players, relevant government agencies and partners leading to enhanced service delivery to consumers and industry stakeholders, in line with President Tinubu’s transformative administration.
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