The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has publicly retracted its earlier allegations of corruption and misconduct against the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.

In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Ajasa, NANS admitted that its previous claims — which included accusations of mismanagement of public funds, job and contract racketeering, and abuse of office — were based on “unverified information.”

“Following further investigations and engagements with relevant stakeholders, I have discovered that the issues raised in my earlier correspondence are unfounded and misleading,” Ajasa stated. “They do not accurately reflect the true state of affairs within the agency.”

The apology follows a letter dated May 2, 2025, in which NANS had called for mass student action, citing protests allegedly initiated by civil society organisations demanding Mr Ahmed’s resignation.

Now, the student body is backtracking, acknowledging that Mr Ahmed is in fact leading critical reforms in the petroleum sector.

“It has become clear that Engr Farouk Ahmed, the CEO of NMDPRA, is leading efforts to reform and modernise 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,” the statement read.

NANS also expressed willingness to collaborate with the NMDPRA to bridge the gap between students and the regulatory agency, promoting better understanding of its policies.

“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,” Ajasa said.

The NMDPRA, established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, regulates Nigeria’s midstream and downstream oil and gas sectors, ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and operational standards.