Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, has called on relevant authorities to investigate the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, over allegations relating to the cost of his children’s education abroad.
Dangote raised the issue publicly while addressing concerns around governance, accountability, and transparency in Nigeria’s public institutions.
According to him, the alleged expenditure of about $5 million on secondary school education for four children in Switzerland raises questions that warrant official scrutiny, particularly when measured against the known income profile of a public office holder.
He argued that public confidence in regulatory institutions depends heavily on the personal integrity of those entrusted with oversight responsibilities.
Dangote stated that where there are visible gaps between declared income and major expenditures, it is appropriate for tax and anti-corruption authorities to review the facts and determine whether all financial obligations have been properly met.
Dangote emphasized that his position was not a declaration of guilt but a call for due process.
He said that any public official should be willing to subject personal finances to examination when serious questions arise, especially in a country where economic pressures continue to limit access to basic education for millions of families.
He contrasted the alleged scale of foreign education spending with the realities faced by many households across Nigeria, particularly in northern states, where school fees running into tens of thousands of naira already constitute a significant barrier to education.
The NMDPRA is a key regulatory agency established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to oversee Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations.
Its responsibilities include licensing, pricing oversight, market regulation, and ensuring fair competition within the oil and gas value chain. Given the agency’s role in shaping energy policy outcomes, its leadership is expected to meet high standards of public trust.
Dangote’s comments come against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between private sector operators and regulators in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum space.
The Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest single-train refinery, is positioned as a central pillar in Nigeria’s effort to reduce fuel imports and stabilize domestic supply.
Regulatory decisions affecting fuel imports, pricing frameworks, and market access have therefore attracted heightened scrutiny from investors and industry stakeholders.
In his remarks, Dangote stressed that regulatory credibility is essential for sustaining long-term investment in Nigeria’s energy sector.
He warned that unresolved questions around governance and accountability could weaken investor confidence and undermine policy objectives aimed at achieving energy security and economic stability.
He further stated that even private business leaders are subject to tax reviews and financial scrutiny where necessary, adding that public officials should not be exempt from similar standards.
According to him, transparency in public service is not optional but foundational to national development.