Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote has reignited his feud with the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, accusing him of living far beyond his legitimate means and demanding a full investigation into his finances.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Dangote alleged that Ahmed paid as much as $5 million per child in school fees to educate his children in Switzerland, a figure he said is grossly inconsistent with the regulator’s official earnings.
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According to Dangote, the alleged spending raises serious red flags that warrant scrutiny by relevant authorities.
“Mallam Farouk has four children he educated in Switzerland at a cost of $5 million for their secondary school education alone, not even university,” Dangote said.
He questioned how such expenses could be justified on a public servant’s income, adding that even his own wealth would attract attention if he made similar payments.
“When you look at his income, it does not match paying this kind of fees. Even if it’s me paying $5 million for my children over six years, the tax authorities would have to examine my income and taxes,” he stated.
Dangote also contrasted the alleged foreign school fees with the realities in Ahmed’s home state, noting that many families struggle to afford basic education.
“From Sokoto, where he comes from, people are struggling to pay ₦100,000 in school fees. Many children are out of school because of that amount,” he added.
As of the time of filing this report, Farouk Ahmed has not responded to the allegations or issued any public statement addressing Dangote’s claims.
The accusations have added a new layer of tension to the ongoing public dispute between the billionaire industrialist and the petroleum sector regulator, with calls growing for transparency and accountability.
