The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, has defended himself against allegations by industrialist Aliko Dangote regarding the funding of his children’s education in Switzerland, stating that claims of illicit spending ignore verifiable financial facts and the nature of his role as an independent regulator.
In a statement signed by him, Ahmed explained that his children’s education was financed through a combination of merit-based scholarships, family trust funds, and personal savings accumulated over more than three decades of public service.
Responding to Dangote’s claim that he spent about $5 million on foreign schooling, Ahmed described the figure as “misleading” and lacking proper context. He noted that three of his four children received merit-based scholarships covering 40–65% of tuition, and that family education trust funds set up by his late father before his death in 2018 contributed further support.
“My personal savings, built over 30 years of uninterrupted service in Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory institutions, covered the remaining costs,” Ahmed said. He emphasized that his annual remuneration of approximately ₦48 million, along with declared assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau, is publicly documented and auditable.
Ahmed invited authorised investigators and schools attended by his children to verify financial records, asserting confidence that the disclosures would refute allegations of illicit funding. “Schools abroad do not accept funds that are not legitimately earned,” he added.
He also contextualized the allegations within his professional role, noting that intensified enforcement of the Petroleum Industry Act—including stricter licensing, fuel quality checks, and transparent pricing—has naturally created friction with commercial interests accustomed to opacity.
“Granting import licences when domestic supply is insufficient is not sabotage; it is a statutory obligation under the Petroleum Industry Act,” Ahmed clarified.
Finally, he formally invited the Code of Conduct Bureau, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the National Assembly to investigate both his finances and regulatory conduct, pledging full cooperation and reiterating his commitment to transparent, independent regulation in the national interest.
“Investigate thoroughly, examine every claim, scrutinize every transaction. My record, both financial and professional, will withstand any legitimate inquiry,” Ahmed said.
The NMDPRA chief stressed that personal attacks will not deter him from executing his statutory responsibilities, emphasizing his dedication to Nigeria’s energy security.
