Aliko Dangote, founder and president of the Dangote Group, has publicly challenged Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to clarify the sources of his wealth, alleging corruption linked to his children’s foreign education.
Speaking during a media briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lekki yesterday, Dangote questioned how Ahmed could afford to spend $5 million on six years of secondary school education for four children in Switzerland.
“This is not just a private matter. Nigerians deserve to know how a public servant can spend millions abroad while ordinary families struggle to pay ₦100,000 for local school fees,” Dangote said.
The billionaire argued that such expenditures raise serious concerns about income declaration, regulatory integrity, and possible conflicts of interest within the petroleum sector.
“When citizens meet their tax obligations, they expect transparency. If public officials live far beyond their declared income, it undermines trust in our institutions,” he added.
Dangote emphasised that Ahmed should not be dismissed without a proper investigation.
Instead, he urged relevant authorities, including the Code of Conduct Bureau, to verify whether the official’s declared earnings justify such spending.
“The NMDPRA CEO must come forward and explain this. If the facts do not match the payments, the responsible institutions must act,” Dangote said.
He also referenced reports of overseas university education among Ahmed’s children, suggesting that the pattern warrants closer scrutiny.
Dangote warned that he would take legal steps to compel disclosure if the allegations are denied, including approaching the schools involved for records.
Highlighting the struggles of ordinary Nigerians, Dangote said, “Many parents cannot afford local secondary school fees. Seeing millions spent abroad raises serious ethical and accountability questions.”
As of filing, Farouk Ahmed has not responded to Dangote’s allegations.