Farouk Ahmed, the head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has resigned from his job.
He stepped down after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
The president invited him following allegations of corruption and actions believed to be harming Nigeria’s economy, especially in the oil and fuel sector.
This development comes at a time when businessman Aliko Dangote has accused some government agencies of blocking the smooth operation of his Dangote Refinery.
Dangote claimed that some regulators are making it difficult for local refineries to work while allowing fuel imports to continue, which he said is damaging the country’s economy.
The NMDPRA, which Ahmed headed before his resignation, is responsible for regulating fuel imports, pricing, and distribution in Nigeria.
Because of the timing, many people are asking whether Ahmed’s resignation is connected to Dangote’s allegations.
So far, the presidency has not confirmed any direct link between the resignation and Dangote’s claims.
More details are expected in the coming days.