AfriPulse
As public pressure mounts over corruption allegations against the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Presidency has moved to clarify its position amid growing calls for investigation and accountability.
The controversy gained momentum following reports of the resignation of both the NMDPRA boss, Farouk Ahmed, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe. The development sparked intense reactions online, with many Nigerians questioning whether due process would follow the allegations.
Reacting on social media, a netizen identified as @OurFavOnlinedoc expressed deep frustration over what he described as a familiar pattern in public service scandals. He wrote:
> “No prosecution. No arrest. No investigation. No proper accountability.
Just allegation of stealing public funds. Followed by a quiet resignation and everybody can move on.
This is not how to build a sane country with trust, integrity and respect before the world.
What a shame.”
The criticism prompted a response from the Presidency, through a post by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga on his X handle @aonanuga1956, who cautioned against what he termed “uninformed criticism.”
According to Onanuga:
> “This is how we get things wrong by our uninformed criticism. ICPC and EFCC are autonomous institutions. The ball is now in their courts to carry out their mandates. Mr President will not tell them what to do.”
Dangote’s Corruption Allegations against NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed
The allegations themselves trace back to comments made by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, who released detailed figures relating to what he described as the foreign education expenses of the four children of the NMDPRA CEO. The disclosures reignited national conversations around public service ethics, privilege, and transparency.
According to figures attributed to Dangote, the children reportedly spent about six years each in elite Swiss boarding schools, widely known for their exclusivity and high tuition costs. The schools listed include Montreux School, Aiglon College, Institut Le Rosey, and La Garenne International School, institutions often associated with the world’s wealthiest families.
Dangote’s breakdown claims that the combined cost of secondary education alone—covering tuition, accommodation, upkeep, international travel, and other related expenses—exceeded $5 million for the four children.
Beyond secondary education, the figures further allege that university tuition for the same four children amounted to an additional $2 million over four years, pushing the estimated total education bill to about $7 million.
One of the most striking claims relates to 2025 spending, where Dangote disclosed that about $210,000 was allegedly paid for Faisal Farouk’s MBA programme at Harvard University. The amount reportedly includes $150,000 for tuition, with the remaining $60,000 covering accommodation, air travel, and other incidentals.
Dangote also noted that a documented breakdown of the expenses would be made public, allowing Nigerians to scrutinise the figures as conversations around transparency and ethical standards in public life continue to intensify.
As the disclosures circulate widely, they have triggered robust public debate, with many Nigerians questioning how such levels of spending align with the realities of public service and the country’s ongoing economic challenges.
Engr. Farouk Ahmed has, however, denied the allegations, stating that he is open to scrutiny and welcoming any investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Source: NationalAccordNewspaper | Read the Full Story…
