The ongoing dispute between Africa’s wealthiest individual, Aliko Dangote, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, has intensified, taking on a more personal and controversial dimension. Dangote has now released detailed claims concerning the alleged foreign education expenses of Ahmed’s children, further escalating an already heated public confrontation.
In a circular reportedly obtained by SaharaReporters and personally signed by Dangote, the businessman outlined a series of allegations under the heading “Allegation,” directly addressing the NMDPRA boss. The document claims that Ahmed spent more than $5 million on the overseas secondary education of his four children in Switzerland.
According to the circular, the children—identified as Faisal Farouk, Farouk Farouk Jr., Ashraf Farouk, and Farhana Farouk—were allegedly enrolled in some of Europe’s most prestigious and expensive boarding schools. Dangote named Montreux School, Aiglon College, Institut Le Rosey, and La Garenne International School as the institutions reportedly attended.
The document further provided a breakdown of the estimated expenses, stating that each child’s annual costs—including tuition, international travel, and living expenses—amounted to approximately $200,000. Over a six-year secondary school period for all four children, Dangote estimated the total expenditure at about $5 million.
Beyond secondary education, Dangote also raised concerns about the cost of the children’s university education. He claimed that an additional $2 million may have been spent on tertiary studies, singling out an alleged $210,000 tuition fee for Faisal Farouk’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme at Harvard University in 2025.
These financial allegations are closely tied to Dangote’s broader criticism of Ahmed’s leadership at the NMDPRA. The billionaire has repeatedly accused the regulator of undermining Nigeria’s economy by favouring fuel imports over domestic refining, a policy stance Dangote claims is damaging local industry—particularly his multibillion-dollar refinery project.
During a recent public forum, Dangote used a striking analogy to describe what he sees as deliberate economic harm. He compared the situation to a scenario in which someone sells bread at a loss directly in front of a local bakery, describing such an act as sabotage rather than competition.
Dangote went further, openly accusing Ahmed of playing a role in weakening the nation’s economy. He argued that the regulator’s decisions amount to economic sabotage and insisted that authorities should not allow such actions to continue unchecked.
Questioning how a lifelong public servant could afford such extensive foreign education costs, Dangote called for official scrutiny. He urged that Ahmed be investigated by the Code of Conduct Bureau, noting that public officials are required to declare their assets and explain any wealth that appears inconsistent with their income.
In a strongly worded warning, Dangote stated that if Ahmed denied the allegations, he would release additional details publicly, including the names of the schools attended. He also claimed he was prepared to take legal action against the institutions themselves to compel disclosure of the fees allegedly paid.
As of the time of reporting, Engr. Farouk Ahmed has not issued a formal response addressing the specific claims made against him. However, the controversy has drawn the attention of lawmakers. The House of Representatives has summoned both Dangote and Ahmed to appear before a joint committee, with the aim of investigating the dispute and easing tensions surrounding Nigeria’s petroleum regulation and refining policies.
The unfolding confrontation highlights deeper concerns about transparency, regulatory power, and the future of Nigeria’s energy sector, as the nation watches closely for official responses and possible investigations.
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