Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has issued a disclaimer distancing himself from a purported response circulating online regarding recent corruption allegations levelled against him by billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote.

In a statement titled “DISCLAIMER/CLARIFICATION” personally signed by Ahmed, he categorically denied authoring or authorising any prior public response to the claims.

He said: “My attention has been drawn to a purported response I was said to have made on the recent allegations against my person,” the statement read.

“I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me.

“Ahmed acknowledged awareness of what he described as “wild and spurious allegations” targeting him and his family, which have sparked significant public attention. However, citing his role as regulator of a sensitive industry, he said he has deliberately avoided engaging in public exchanges or “brickbats.”

“Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken it to a formal investigative institution,” Ahmed noted. “I believe that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distill the issues and to clear my name.

“The disclaimer comes amid escalating tensions in Nigeria’s petroleum sector. Dangote, president of Dangote Industries Limited, recently petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Ahmed over claims of living beyond legitimate means, including alleged multi-million-dollar expenditures on his children’s education abroad.

The ICPC has confirmed receipt of the petition and stated it will be duly investigated.Ahmed’s statement signals his preference for the matter to be resolved through official channels rather than media debates.

FrieslandCampina WAMCO has appointed former Guinness Nigeria Commercial Director, Olusanya Adesanya, as its new Group Director of Sales, marking a significant talent shift in Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods sector.

Adesanya announced the move on his LinkedIn page, stating, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Director of Group Sales at FrieslandCampina.”

Adesanya, regarded as one of the country’s foremost commercial strategists, has been instrumental in Guinness Nigeria’s resurgence.

His exit was confirmed in a statement signed by the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Girish Sharma, who hailed his “twelve remarkable years of positive impact and growth.”

According to Guinness Nigeria, Adesanya joined the company in 2013 as a sales representative and rose through the ranks across the South-East, Lagos and South-West regions, ultimately becoming commercial director in 2023.

Over the years, he led retail expansion initiatives, including the launch of Project REAP, which transformed retail execution and broadened the company’s distribution footprint.

Under his leadership, Guinness recorded double-digit topline growth, improved margins, enhanced trade spend efficiency and strengthened distributor profitability.

His performance earned him several awards, including the African President Awards (2021) and MAD Awards (2014 and 2015).

The Senate has approved the sum of N54.46trillion as the federal government’s aggregate expenditure for the 2026 fiscal year.

This followed the passage of the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) during plenary yesterday.

The Senate also approved the sum of US$64.85 per barrel as the oil benchmark, projected aggregate revenue of N34.33 trillion, Fiscal Deficit of N20.13 trillion, borrowings of N17.88 trillion, Debt Service of N15.52 trillion, and Pensions, gratuities, and retirees’ benefits of N1.376 trillion.

The approval of the fiscal document followed the presentation and consideration of the report of the Senate Committees on Finance during plenary.

The report was presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (APC – Niger East).