Dangote calls for NMDPRA probe amid $5m schooling allegation, prompting calls for lifestyle audits of public officials

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s foremost business magnate, has called for an immediate independent investigation into Mr Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), following allegations of lavish expenditure on his children’s education abroad.

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Dangote’s concerns, highlighted in recent media reports on Thursday, allege that Mr Ahmed reportedly sponsors his children’s secondary schooling in Switzerland at an estimated $5 million annually.

The Council for Culture Change and Ethical Transformation in Nigeria, issuing a statement on Dangote’s behalf, described the alleged spending as “manifestly inconsistent” with the lawful earnings of a civil servant.

The council urged prosecuting and anti-corruption agencies to conduct an immediate, independent investigation and called for the suspension of the official pending inquiry.

It also recommended a comprehensive lifestyle audit of officials within the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and its agencies to determine sources of assets and expenditures beyond legitimate income.

“This allegation underscores a broader national concern: corruption and illicit enrichment have become normalized,” the statement read. “No nation can progress when public officials operate without transparency, ethics, or accountability.”

The statement further commended Dangote for his courage in speaking out and called on Nigerian citizens, civil society, and media organisations to sustain scrutiny until the matter is fully investigated and adjudicated in court if necessary.

The council emphasised that while Dangote’s intervention highlights individual accountability, it also reflects a systemic need for comprehensive reform across both public and private sectors.

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Dangote’s call comes amid growing public discourse on transparency and ethics within Nigeria’s petroleum sector, positioning the country at a critical juncture in its fight against abuse of public trust.