President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has called for a thorough investigation into allegations that the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, spent about five million dollars on the secondary school education of his four children in Switzerland.
Dangote made the call on Sunday during a media briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, where he addressed what he described as regulatory shortcomings and corruption in the downstream petroleum sector. He said the NMDPRA chief should publicly explain the source of the funds, warning that failure to do so could amount to economic sabotage.
According to Dangote, the alleged expenditure appears inconsistent with the earnings of a public servant and would ordinarily attract the attention of tax and anti corruption agencies. He added that leaving the issue unaddressed could further erode public trust and investor confidence in the sector.
The businessman expressed concern over the contrast between the alleged spending and the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians who struggle to pay modest school fees for their children.
He clarified that he was not calling for the removal of the NMDPRA boss but for an independent and transparent investigation by relevant authorities such as the Code of Conduct Bureau. He said that if the allegation is denied, he would publish details of the alleged tuition payments and take legal steps to compel disclosure from the schools involved.
Dangote also alleged that entrenched interests in the downstream petroleum sector continue to benefit from fuel imports at the expense of local refining and national development. He warned that allowing commercial interests to influence regulation undermines the integrity of the sector.
He stressed the need for a clear separation between regulatory oversight and trading activities, noting that although several licences have been issued, the operating environment remains unfavourable for the establishment of new refineries.
Dangote said Nigerians would ultimately benefit from sustained local refining and assured that his refinery is working to ensure that recent reductions in gantry prices are reflected at filling stations across the country.
When contacted for reaction, the spokesperson of the NMDPRA, Mr. George Ene Ita, declined comment, saying the authority had no response at the time of filing this report.