Nigeria’s business mogul and Dangote Group president, Aliko Dangote, has raised serious concerns over the management of legacy bridging claims by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), calling for an urgent forensic audit to prevent potentially irregular payments.
Concerns Over N250 Billion in Legacy Claims
Bridging claims are government-backed reimbursements to petroleum marketers, designed to offset costs incurred while transporting fuel from depots to distribution points across the country. These payments are intended to stabilize pump prices nationwide.
Dangote’s camp, however, alleges that a significant portion of the proposed N250 billion in legacy claims lacks verifiable supporting documentation. Sources indicate that discrepancies in some submissions could be as high as 47 percent compared with the levies actually paid per litre, raising suspicions of abusive or unsubstantiated payouts.
"The current move to settle approximately N250 billion in legacy bridging claims, despite the regulator’s inability to provide empirical data to substantiate as much as 47 percent of those claims, strongly suggests the presence of irregular and potentially sinister practices," a senior industry insider said.
The source further urged the Auditor-General of the Federation to suspend all bridging claim payments until a comprehensive forensic audit is conducted to verify that approved claims align accurately with levies paid by depot owners and importers.
Corruption Petition Filed Against NMDPRA Leadership
The concerns coincide with a formal petition filed by Dangote to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The petition, submitted through Dangote’s lawyer Ogwu Onoja (SAN), alleges abuse of office, corrupt enrichment, and unlawful diversion of public funds by the NMDPRA chief, Farouk.
Dangote reportedly called on the ICPC to investigate Farouk for allegedly living far beyond his legitimate means as a public servant. The anti-graft agency has confirmed receipt of the petition and announced that investigations have commenced.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
Industry experts say the situation underscores the urgent need for transparency in the management of petroleum subsidies and government reimbursements. With billions of naira involved, stakeholders are urging regulatory authorities to ensure that all payments are thoroughly verified and that any discrepancies are addressed to protect public resources.
The development has reignited public debates over accountability in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, highlighting the challenges of balancing subsidy management with financial integrity and regulatory oversight.