The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has warned that the ongoing feud between Aliko Dangote and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) could deter foreign investment in the country’s petroleum sector.

Dangote recently accused NMDPRA CEO Farouk Ahmed of paying $5 million to a Swiss school for his children’s education, labeling the move as “economic sabotage and corruption.” The allegation, which mentioned Ahmed’s four children, sparked public controversy and heightened tensions in the downstream industry.

Billy Gillis-Harry, PETROAN’s national president, said such public accusations threaten confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory institutions and urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene promptly. He emphasized that dialogue, fair competition, and adherence to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) are crucial for stability in the sector.

At an emergency national meeting, PETROAN passed a vote of confidence in NMDPRA’s leadership, praising the agency’s reforms, strategic governance, and regulatory clarity. The association stressed that Nigeria’s refineries remain attractive for investment and condemned individuals or companies attempting to announce petroleum product prices publicly, which could destabilize the market.

PETROAN also highlighted unresolved disputes involving Dangote’s refinery and labor unions, warning that prolonged tensions could lead to fuel shortages, job losses, declining investor confidence, and price manipulation. The group urged constructive negotiations and fair commercial engagement to protect the sector from further disruption.

Finally, PETROAN called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to fast-track partnerships with credible private-sector players for the rehabilitation, management, or co-ownership of national refineries, stressing that collaboration and transparency are key to a stable downstream petroleum sector.