A group of demonstrators on Monday, June 24, occupied key government offices in Abuja to demand the resignation of Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), over allegations of massive financial misconduct.
The protests were organized by the Situation Room for Oil Sector Reforms. Demonstrators stormed the offices of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), calling for immediate action on what they described as a scandal involving the misappropriation of more than $5 billion within the NMDPRA.
At the center of the protest are allegations that Ahmed used his position to enrich himself and his family. Protesters claimed that the regulatory authority under Ahmed’s leadership has become a vehicle for private gain at the expense of the Nigerian people.
The protesters accused Ahmed of turning the NMDPRA into his “personal estate,” where financial misconduct has allegedly been normalized. One of the major points of contention raised by the group is a possible conflict of interest involving Ahmed’s son, Faisal Ahmed, who reportedly works for Oando PLC—a company that is regulated by the NMDPRA.
Dan Okwa, Convener of the Situation Room for Oil Sector Reforms, led the protest. He stated that Engr. Ahmed should be held accountable for his actions, and called for his immediate suspension to prevent interference in any investigation.
Okwa said the evidence against Ahmed is credible and well-documented, suggesting that allowing him to remain in office could compromise the integrity of any inquiry. He warned that Ahmed could potentially tamper with official records or pressure staff members to conceal the truth.
The protesters laid out a five-point demand. First, they insist that Ahmed must be suspended from office immediately. They argue that this is essential to ensure a transparent and effective investigation, free from potential manipulation.
Second, the group called for a coordinated investigation involving the EFCC, ICPC, and CCB. They emphasized that these agencies must not work in isolation but should form a joint task force to examine every aspect of Ahmed’s asset declarations and regulatory decisions made during his tenure.
The third demand involves a forensic examination of financial and educational records linked to Ahmed’s children. The protesters want the authorities to subpoena foreign exchange records, tuition invoices, accommodation receipts, and travel records. They argue that there is a need to trace whether public funds were used to sponsor foreign education for Ahmed’s family members.
Fourth, they are demanding prosecution and asset recovery if the allegations are substantiated. Okwa said all properties, investments, or bank accounts obtained through misappropriated funds must be confiscated in accordance with Nigerian laws, including the Criminal Code, the ICPC Act, the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, and the Code of Conduct Bureau Act.
Okwa stressed that they are not seeking scapegoats but justice, and that any settlement behind closed doors would not be accepted by the public. He insisted that officials involved in misappropriation of public funds must be prosecuted without compromise.
Lastly, the protesters are pushing for a total overhaul of the NMDPRA. They called for urgent reforms to address what they described as a systemic rot within the regulatory agency. Among the measures they proposed are a full operational audit, digital tracking of regulatory decisions, online publication of procurement records, and stringent vetting for future appointments.
The group stated that the allegations against Ahmed go beyond individual misconduct and highlight deeper governance failures in the oil sector. They warned that unless structural reforms are implemented, similar scandals are likely to recur.
Protesters vowed to maintain their demonstrations until authorities take action and tangible reforms are introduced within the NMDPRA. They reiterated their commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory institutions.
