The League of Civil Society Groups has criticised recent public comments credited to the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, in which he reportedly called for a probe of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Engr. Farouk Ahmed. The group described the call as unnecessary, poorly handled, and not in line with established due process, warning that such public statements could weaken confidence in key national institutions.
Speaking in Abuja, the National Secretary of the League of Civil Society Groups, Ambassador Mohammed Bassah, said while civil society organisations strongly support accountability and transparency in governance, there are laid-down procedures for raising concerns against public officials and regulatory bodies. According to him, bypassing these procedures and making allegations in the public space without first engaging the appropriate authorities could be damaging, especially in a sensitive sector like petroleum.
Bassah said the right to seek accountability is fundamental in a democracy, but it must be exercised responsibly and within the framework of the law. He described the approach allegedly taken by Dangote as “rather low,” adding that it sets a troubling precedent if influential individuals or corporate leaders choose media platforms over statutory channels when they have grievances.
“If Dangote or any corporate entity has genuine concerns about the conduct of a regulator or any public official, there are proper and recognised channels to address such concerns,” Bassah said. “These include formal petitions to the National Assembly, the Code of Conduct Bureau, or other relevant anti-corruption and oversight agencies. That is how accountability should work.”
The civil society group stressed that making accusations publicly, without first submitting evidence to the appropriate bodies, risks undermining the credibility and stability of institutions established to regulate critical sectors of the economy. Bassah noted that the petroleum industry remains central to Nigeria’s economy and requires a stable and predictable regulatory environment to function effectively.
According to the League, the NMDPRA was created under the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, to regulate Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sectors in a transparent, competitive, and fair manner. Bassah said part of the agency’s mandate includes ensuring adequate supply of petroleum products across the country, which may involve issuing import licences when domestic production is not sufficient to meet national demand.
He explained that importation of petroleum products remains a legal and necessary stop-gap measure, particularly at a time when Nigeria is still adjusting to changes following the removal of fuel subsidy. Bassah pointed out that, as of now, no single refinery in the country, including the Dangote Refinery located in Lagos, has been able to meet Nigeria’s full daily fuel consumption needs.
“Until local refining capacity can fully cover national demand, importation remains part of the supply mix allowed by law,” he said. “This is not a violation of the law, but a practical step to prevent shortages and market disruptions.”
The League also raised concerns about public price projections attributed to Dangote, including claims that the pump price of petrol could fall below ₦740 per litre. Bassah described such projections as speculative, noting that fuel prices depend on several variables beyond the control of any single player in the industry.
He listed factors such as foreign exchange rates, global crude oil prices, supply volumes, logistics, distribution costs, and regulatory decisions as key elements that influence petrol prices in Nigeria. According to him, presenting price forecasts as near certainties could mislead the public and raise expectations that may not be immediately achievable.
Bassah further cautioned against what he described as the introduction of “personal narratives and insinuations” into public debate, particularly when such narratives touch on the personal conduct of public office holders. He stressed that allegations of misconduct must be supported by evidence and handled by competent authorities, not debated or concluded in the media.
“Civil society stands for transparency, not rumour,” he said. “Public discourse must be guided by facts, evidence, and the law, not by sensationalism or personal disagreements.”
The League of Civil Society Groups also warned that ongoing public disagreements between major investors and regulators could have negative consequences for the petroleum sector. Bassah said such confrontations could unsettle the industry, create uncertainty, and discourage both local and foreign investment at a time when Nigeria is still working to stabilise its post-subsidy petroleum market.
He urged all stakeholders, including regulators, investors, industry operators, and policymakers, to engage constructively and resolve disputes through dialogue and institutional mechanisms. According to him, the national interest should always take priority over corporate rivalry or personal grievances.
The group reaffirmed its support for strong institutions, due process, and evidence-based engagement, calling on all parties involved in the current debate to act responsibly and in a manner that promotes stability and confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
