NANS apologises to NMDPRA boss over corruption allegations

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has apologised to the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, over corruption allegations it levelled against him.

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NANS had in a letter dated 2 May 2025, alleged mismanagement of public funds, job and contract racketeering, and abuse of office.

In the letter, NANS claimed some civil society organisations submitted a protest letter to it, requesting their assistance in mobilising Nigerian students to participate in a national mass action demanding Mr Ahmed’s resignation and that of his management team.

But in a statement dated 2 June and signed by its Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Ajasa, NANS made a U-turn, saying it had since realised that the allegations of mismanagement of public funds, job and contract racketeering, and abuse of office were based on unverified information.

The student body said its investigations and engagements with stakeholders revealed that the allegations did not accurately reflect the true state of affairs within the agency.

It described Mr Ahmed’s efforts to reform and modernise the midstream and downstream sectors of the petroleum industry as aligning with NANS’ vision for a more transparent and prosperous society.

“In light of recent developments, I wish to provide an update and clarification regarding the allegations made in a letter issued by my office, as the National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA),”the statement said.

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“The letter highlighted concerns regarding alleged mismanagement of public funds, job and contract racketeering, abuse of office and the infractions within the agency. Following further investigations and engagements with relevant stakeholders, I have discovered that the issues raised in my earlier correspondence are unfounded and misleading and do not accurately reflect the true state of affairs within the agency.

“The allegations were based on unverified information. As the mouthpiece of over 40.2 million Nigerian students, both at home and in the diaspora, NANS is committed to upholding the values of truth, fairness, and constructive engagement.

“It has become clear that Engr Farouk Ahmed, the CEO of NMDPRA, is leading efforts to reform and modernize the midstream and downstream sectors of the petroleum industry, a vision that aligns with the aspirations of Nigerian students for a more transparent and prosperous society.”

NANS expressed its readiness to collaborate with Mr Ahmed and NMDPRA to bridge the communication gap between the youth and student constituency and the agency to foster better orientation and understanding of its policies and operations.

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“I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience or harm caused by the earlier statement and urge all stakeholders to remain focused on constructive dialogue and the shared goal of building a better Nigeria.

“Together, we can work towards a future that prioritises integrity, accountability, and progress,” the statement said.

The NMDPRA is a regulatory agency established by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. Its primary function is to oversee and regulate Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sectors, ensuring the sustainable development of the oil and gas industry while maintaining strict adherence to safety, environmental, and operational standards.