Kailani Mohammed Calls Out Dangote on Wealth Origins, Warns Against Personal Attacks in Petroleum Dispute

Nigerian petroleum expert Engr. Kailani Mohammed has challenged industrialist Aliko Dangote to clarify the source of his wealth during his time in Port Harcourt in the 1980s, amid rising tensions over allegations involving Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Mohammed made the comments while responding to Dangote’s public accusations against Ahmed, which have sparked intense debate within Nigeria’s petroleum sector and the broader public. According to the expert, resorting to personal allegations undermines healthy discourse and raises questions about the motivations behind attempts to dominate the market.

“Attacks on individuals should not be part of business or regulatory disagreements,” Mohammed said. “Every time someone seeks to monopolize the sector, they bring up personal allegations. Dangote himself should explain how he acquired his wealth in the 1980s—who is really clean?”

The exchange comes after Dangote accused Ahmed of allegedly spending around $5 million on his children’s education in Switzerland and later challenged him to publicly deny the claim, insisting he has evidence to support his statements. The controversy has drawn attention from industry stakeholders and observers, highlighting tensions between private sector interests and regulatory authorities.

Mohammed also weighed in on claims regarding the Dangote Refinery’s operations, noting that key refinery equipment, such as the Fuel Catalytic Cracker (FCC), is not yet fully functional. His comments add to ongoing scrutiny over refinery performance, regulatory oversight, and competition within Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry.