- Nigeria’s House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources has stepped in to calm rising tensions in the downstream sector
- Lawmakers summoned Dangote Refinery and the NMDPRA leadership to explain allegations and counter-claims fuelling the dispute
- The committee urged both parties to suspend media hostilities while investigations into import licences and refinery capacity continue
The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) has moved to address renewed tension in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
The intervention followed public concerns, allegations and counter-claims between the leadership of Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
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Committee chairmen Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Hon. Henry Okogie disclosed on Monday, December 15, 2025, that both parties had been summoned to appear before the committee to present their grievances. They directed the parties to halt all media hostilities pending the outcome of the investigation, which they said would be concluded within days.
Emergency meeting on downstream petroleum sector tension
Speaking after an emergency meeting, Ugochinyere explained that the committee was compelled to act swiftly to prevent further escalation. He noted that the move came at a time when government and industry stakeholders were working to stabilise supply, pricing and regulation in the post-subsidy era.
“The key issue that necessitated this emergency meeting was the growing tension that has returned to the downstream sector as a result of concerns and allegations raised by Alhaji Aliko Dangote against the NMDPRA,” he said.
He added that the development was coming at a time when the committee was keen on safeguarding the relative stability achieved in the sector.
Dangote Refinery and NMDPRA to face lawmakers
Ugochinyere confirmed that the committee resolved to formally invite the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the leadership of the NMDPRA to provide detailed explanations on the issues fuelling the dispute.
“We can only find sustainable solutions when we identify the critical issues leading to this tension. That is why the committee resolved to write to Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the NMDPRA leadership to meet with us and give insights into what is driving these allegations and counter-allegations,” he said.
In a move aimed at de-escalating the situation, the committee appealed to both parties to suspend public exchanges and media comments while the legislative intervention was ongoing.
“We resolved to plead with the contending parties to cease fire, especially media comments, so that the situation does not escalate further,” Ugochinyere noted.
He added that the committee had the capacity to resolve the matter once and for all.
Key industry issues under investigation
The chairman revealed that the committee had already received petitions on critical industry matters, including the issuance of import licences and whether domestic refineries could meet Nigeria’s daily petroleum demand.
“These are serious issues. Some relate to import licences, others to whether local refineries can produce enough to satisfy national demand. The committee’s investigation will address all of them,” he said.
Ugochinyere stressed that all outstanding matters would be thoroughly examined when key stakeholders in the refining and regulatory space appear before the committee.
“By the time Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the NMDPRA and other stakeholders meet with the committee, we will get the real gist of what is happening and come up with resolutions that provide sustainable solutions for the sector,” he assured.
Committee urges restraint in downstream petroleum dispute
Reiterating the committee’s appeal, Ugochinyere urged all parties to suspend further accusations while the House worked to resolve the dispute in the national interest.
“We are pleading with them to cease further attacks on each other, whether from the regulatory agency or the refining community, while the committee sorts out these issues,” he said.
He confirmed that the decisions announced reflected the unanimous outcome of the committee’s closed-door deliberations.
The intervention came amid the recent face off between Dangote and the NMDPRA, which has raised concerns about stability in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
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Dangote demands probe of $5 Million paid by NMDPRA boss
Legit.ng earlier reported that chairman of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, has accused the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, of living beyond his means, alleging that the latter paid $5 million for his children’s school fees in a secondary school in Switzerland.