Dangote Challenges NMDPRA Boss Over Alleged $5 Million School Fees, Demands Investigation
In a dramatic press briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos on Sunday, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, escalated his criticism of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), focusing squarely on its Chief Executive Officer, Farouk Ahmed.
Dangote publicly alleged that Ahmed spent approximately $5 million on the secondary school education of his four children in Switzerland, arguing that such an expenditure is grossly inconsistent with the income of a career public servant.
Dangote minced no words, stating that this alleged spending—amounting to $5 million over six years for four children—should immediately trigger scrutiny from tax and anti-corruption authorities.
“You cannot imagine somebody paying $5 million just to educate four children in secondary school. When you look at his income, his income does not match paying this kind of fee,” Dangote asserted.
He drew a sharp contrast between this lavish spending and the economic hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians, noting that many in Ahmed’s home state of Sokoto struggle to afford $100,000 in school fees.
While stressing that his remarks were not a personal attack, Dangote called for a full, proper investigation by relevant bodies like the Code of Conduct Bureau. He framed the issue as a matter of public trust and national accountability:
“What I am asking for is a proper investigation. He should be required to account for his actions and demonstrate that he has not compromised his position to the detriment of Nigerians. What is happening amounts to economic sabotage.”
Dangote backed up his claim by declaring that if Ahmed denies the allegation, he would not only publish the tuition paid but also take legal steps to compel the Swiss schools to disclose the payments made.
