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By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) has intervened to douse rising tension in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, summoning the Dangote Refinery Group and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over recent allegations and counter-allegations between both parties.
The joint committee also directed all parties involved to immediately suspend media engagements and public exchanges on the matter, pending the outcome of its investigation, which it said would be concluded within days.
The intervention followed an emergency meeting of the committee, co-chaired by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Hon. Henry Okogie, convened amid concerns that the renewed dispute could undermine the fragile stability recently recorded in the sector.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Ugochinyere said the committee was compelled to act swiftly to prevent a further escalation of the situation, especially at a critical period when government and industry stakeholders are working to stabilise supply, pricing and regulation in the post-subsidy era.
According to him, the tension stemmed from concerns and allegations publicly raised by the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, against the NMDPRA.
“The key issue that informed this emergency meeting is the growing tension that has resurfaced in the downstream sector following allegations raised by Alhaji Aliko Dangote against the NMDPRA,” Ugochinyere said.
He stressed that the committee is determined to protect the gains already made in the sector and ensure that disputes are resolved through institutional engagement rather than media confrontations.
As part of its resolutions, the committee decided to formally invite Alhaji Dangote and the leadership of the NMDPRA to appear before it to present their positions and clarify the issues at the heart of the dispute.
Ugochinyere explained that a comprehensive understanding of the grievances from both sides would enable the National Assembly to mediate effectively and arrive at lasting solutions.
“We believe sustainable solutions can only emerge when we clearly identify the issues fueling this tension. That is why the committee resolved to invite Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the NMDPRA leadership to engage with us directly,” he said.
In a bid to calm the situation, the lawmaker said the committee appealed to both parties to halt further public comments while legislative intervention is ongoing.
“We have appealed to the contending parties to cease fire, particularly in the media, to avoid further escalation,” he added.
Ugochinyere maintained that the committee possesses the capacity and mandate to resolve the matter conclusively in the national interest.
He further disclosed that the committee has already received petitions touching on key industry concerns, including the issuance of petroleum import licences and questions surrounding the capacity of domestic refineries to meet Nigeria’s daily fuel requirements.
“These are serious issues bordering on import licences and whether local refining capacity is sufficient to meet national demand. The committee’s investigation will address all of these,” he said.
He assured that all outstanding matters would be exhaustively examined when relevant stakeholders in the refining and regulatory space appear before the committee.
“Once Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the NMDPRA and other stakeholders engage with the committee, we will have a clearer picture of what is happening and be in a position to recommend sustainable solutions,” Ugochinyere said.
Reiterating the committee’s appeal, he urged all parties to suspend further accusations while the House works to resolve the dispute in the broader national interest.
The lawmaker noted that the resolutions announced reflected the unanimous outcome of the committee’s closed-door deliberations.
The intervention comes amid heightened public scrutiny of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry, with growing expectations around local refining capacity, regulatory certainty and stable fuel supply.