By The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has condemned recent protests and allegations against the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engineer Farouk Ahmed, describing them as politically motivated and lacking credible evidence.
In a press briefing held in Abuja, the NYCN Vice President (North Central), Comrade Mukhtar Akoshile, criticized what he called “baseless attacks” on the NMDPRA boss, warning that such smear campaigns risk undermining critical reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
“We will not stand by and watch a technocrat who has brought professionalism and policy discipline to the sector be distracted by baseless attacks,” Akoshile said. “The NYCN remains committed to safeguarding national interest, especially as it relates to economic stability and petroleum reforms.”
The Council urged Nigerian youth to avoid being used as tools in politically orchestrated protests, noting that several student unions had already withdrawn from the demonstrations after failing to verify claims of foreign sponsorship and procurement irregularities.
Joining the NYCN in its defence of Ahmed, the League of Civil Society Groups also rejected the allegations, calling them “unsubstantiated and ill-timed.”
Mohammed Basah, President of the League, stated that Engineer Ahmed’s leadership at the NMDPRA has led to significant progress in implementing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and creating a more transparent and competitive downstream sector.
“There is a clear attempt to politicize regulatory progress,” Basah said. “We call on the public and oversight institutions to prioritize evidence-based engagements rather than media trials.”
Both the NYCN and the civil society coalition emphasized that their support for the NMDPRA boss does not negate the importance of accountability, but stressed that due process must be followed and that allegations should be backed with concrete evidence.
They called on the National Assembly and other relevant stakeholders to remain focused on consolidating reforms in the midstream and downstream petroleum sectors, warning that politically charged distractions could discourage investor confidence and stall national progress.
As debate over the protests continues, the strong show of support from youth and civil society groups signals a growing call for stability, professionalism, and fact-based dialogue in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
